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
  • This left us a little stunned wondering how large and coordinated the attack might be.
    — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 26 Sep. 2026
  • King seemed stunned that an actual Black person had views that did not conform to her preconception of what a Black man should think.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Historian George is still amazed at the resilience of the neighborhood.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
  • My mom was amazed with the smoothness the formula provided without settling into fine lines.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Derrick Wolf shops with his twin daughters, Evelyn and Aliyah, after Making Disciplies founder Eric Bassette surprised the family by paying for their back-to-school supplies.
    — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • What surprised him the most was the musical transformation of his repertoire.
    — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • My conversations and research left me much less shocked at that statistic that had sent chills down my spine a few weeks prior.
    — Luba Kassova, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Katlar Parchman, 19, appeared shocked to be in the defendant's chair on Saturday.
    — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Their approach startled the predator, who took off with the mother godwit in its claws.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • While holding Gnocchi, a large street cleaning truck whipped down the street and startled him into clawing away.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 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
  • Five o’clock Saturday, the Riverside Stadium and Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is fist-pumping a half-bewildered but fully enthused home crowd.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • When kids first got online, parents were bewildered and alarmed, but kids, who tend to gravitate to new technology, found freedom in a space that was basically ungoverned.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!