variants
also dumfounded
1
as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
dumbfounded by the realization that he had just won the grand prize in the multistate lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazed
filled with amazement or wonder
dumbfounded visitors to the Grand Canyon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also dumfounded
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dumbfounded
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, the dumbfounded supervisors complied with the state’s request, begrudgingly voting Tuesday to return the bread.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Nonetheless, all the experts, including her coach Geno Auriemma, seem dumbfounded by her.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Now that citizens can stare dumbfounded into the same distracting bright lights (and gambling gateways) via ever-present screens, the whole of the United States has essentially transformed into the hellscape once confined to Nevada’s southern tip.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Colorado has lost four of the past six games, and doubled the amount of regulation losses since Cooper’s dumbfounded laugh.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
The White House has said the president does not believe the lawmakers should be killed, but even Republicans have been left dumbfounded by his response.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2025
Ron says, comically dumbfounded.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
The leaders of a group that searched for it at the end of June were dumbfounded when the King suddenly appeared on sonar, said Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Brendan Hellweg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Warren herself is dumbfounded by the bizarre case of mistaken identity.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Even though officials describe work release as a form of custody, the fact that Brom was getting a measure of freedom outraged and dumbfounded many legislators, law enforcement officials and members of the community with knowledge and memories of the horrific crime.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025
But now that the project has been abruptly terminated, leaving veterans dumbfounded by the decision.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The release, which Taco Bell says is one of its most exclusive ever, has some fans dumbfounded and others ready to dive right in.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Cubs fans who have caught Brewers games of late have likely been dumbfounded by their performance.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
That had everyone dumbfounded over what was going on and sharing strong reactions to Bucknor's inaccurate call, including those providing commentary on Tuesday night's game, and many fans watching the events unfold.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, the dumbfounded supervisors complied with the state’s request, begrudgingly voting Tuesday to return the bread.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Nonetheless, all the experts, including her coach Geno Auriemma, seem dumbfounded by her.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Now that citizens can stare dumbfounded into the same distracting bright lights (and gambling gateways) via ever-present screens, the whole of the United States has essentially transformed into the hellscape once confined to Nevada’s southern tip.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Colorado has lost four of the past six games, and doubled the amount of regulation losses since Cooper’s dumbfounded laugh.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
The White House has said the president does not believe the lawmakers should be killed, but even Republicans have been left dumbfounded by his response.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2025
Ron says, comically dumbfounded.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
The leaders of a group that searched for it at the end of June were dumbfounded when the King suddenly appeared on sonar, said Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Employers are dumbfounded by the state’s restrictiveness.
—Brendan Hellweg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Warren herself is dumbfounded by the bizarre case of mistaken identity.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Even though officials describe work release as a form of custody, the fact that Brom was getting a measure of freedom outraged and dumbfounded many legislators, law enforcement officials and members of the community with knowledge and memories of the horrific crime.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025
But now that the project has been abruptly terminated, leaving veterans dumbfounded by the decision.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The release, which Taco Bell says is one of its most exclusive ever, has some fans dumbfounded and others ready to dive right in.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Cubs fans who have caught Brewers games of late have likely been dumbfounded by their performance.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounded
Adjective
-
Video of Raftery's stunned reaction to the scene on the court quickly went viral on social media, which promptly delivered jokes about the 82-year-old's potential demise.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The unexpected guest drew a stunned silence from attendees, with many snapping photos.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This visual sleight of hand worked so well that sometimes even Gomez was amazed.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Liu, so amazed, emerges from the building with her phone out.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its most iconic product surprised even the engineers who built it.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The battle even surprised Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cain seems genuinely shocked by this.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Lexi, who appears to be an assistant, is shocked.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The news, revealed in court filings last week, astonished environmental lawyers, who were already shocked after the Department of the Interior announced two weeks ago that a meeting to discuss an exemption would take place on March 31.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Holmes is a funny guy, making impossible deductions and Watson still managing to be astonished by it.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The parents at this kind of show, of course, are less dumbstruck than the kids: The card is not floating but instead swinging on some string.—
Joseph Vukov,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2024
Adjective
-
There was no punchline, no twist — just the straightforward, slightly bewildered observation that someone, somewhere, had performed surgery on a grape.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Exasperated, bewildered, and realizing other musicians were also dealing with this, Bender came up with a way to show just how porous the system was.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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