dumbfounded 1 of 2

variants also dumfounded

dumbfounded

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounded
past tense of dumbfound

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dumbfounded
Adjective
In the book, MacLachlan recalls being utterly dumbfounded at having been asked to do something so oblivious at best and cruel at worst. — Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Barkley has made cuts in practice that left new teammates dumbfounded. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 North wasn’t the only one feeling a little dumbfounded by De Niro’s involvement. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Lopez stood on third base, dumbfounded, as Young fired the ball back to first base to complete the spectacular inning-ending double play. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Burke displayed a dumbfounded grin, then brought the stream to a close. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, what fascinates aspiring neurologist Makenzie Stovall is the idea that AI is trying to emulate the brain — an organ whose inner workings continue to leave researchers dumbfounded. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 O’Donnell’s dumbfounded silence at the impossible-to-grasp question speaks volumes. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 July 2026 She’s supposed to help only with menial tasks, but often ends up helping solve mysteries that leave the police dumbfounded. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Verb
The petition by the legal rights group — which will be appealed to a higher California court — left Laci’s mother dumbfounded and did little to shake her conviction that Peterson was guilty of the murders. — Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Those unfamiliar with the story will also be dumbfounded by the catalog of mistakes that not only put Stagg behind bars for 14 months, but allowed the real killer to roam free (and kill again) for another two years. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026 Employers are dumbfounded by the state’s restrictiveness. — Brendan Hellweg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026 James Hotchkiss / Reuters Carlos Rodriguez, outside in his robe, was dumbfounded by this show of brute force. — Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounded
Adjective
  • That, to my mind, is why Wiles seemed so stunned by the firestorm that erupted when her words appeared in my 10,000-word Vanity Fair series last December.
    — Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The scene is one of many standout moments that left audiences and Fielder himself both stunned and uncomfortable.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers were amazed that Australia could stay bird-flu-free for six years.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Adamantium-tally our SEA officers were amazed to see this image roll across their X-ray screen.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The companies that understand their customers best in 2030 will be the ones most willing to be surprised by them.
    — Kate O'Keeffe, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But Soto, 48, appeared to prevail this week, a feat that likely surprised Republican leaders and some political analysts.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Flames flickered around chunks of pavement lining the crater as shocked residents looked on in horror.
    — David Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Many attendees in the chambers appeared shocked and confused at the proposal for the new ordinance.
    — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • And Denée Benton, whose budding writer Peggy Scott acts as an entry point into New York’s prosperous Black elite, still sounds astonished.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Surveillance footage & evidence Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Lyons can be a brilliant agent of chaos, a person whose presence left castmates starstruck before her bluntness left them dumbstruck.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 13 July 2023
Adjective
  • For the first 12 minutes, the Bulls watched Brunson with the bewildered air of a student who forgot to study for a test.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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