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
Relevance
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
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 June 2026
In 40 years covering South Florida sports, very few things have left me dumbfounded.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Lori listens in dumbfounded silence, keeping her eyes on the prize, and trying not to roll them when Julian makes a comment about the dearth of great women artists—the kind of remark that earned him a close brush with cancellation in the past.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
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
Adjective
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
In 40 years covering South Florida sports, very few things have left me dumbfounded.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Lori listens in dumbfounded silence, keeping her eyes on the prize, and trying not to roll them when Julian makes a comment about the dearth of great women artists—the kind of remark that earned him a close brush with cancellation in the past.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
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
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
-
Europeans, in particular, have been flooding social media with stunned reactions to the salad dressing.
-
After the worst outing of his nine-year major-league career, Freddy Peralta walked off the mound at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night with a stunned look on his face.
Adjective
-
The Hoosiers faithful amazed locals.
-
Kushner was likewise amazed during his first visit in 2021 with Ivanka.
Verb
-
But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town.
-
The news surprised local law enforcement at the time, who said the information did not come from them.
Adjective
-
Her mom was incredibly proud — and a bit shocked — that a Black man had been elected president.
-
While perusing an old friend’s social media account, she was shocked to see a little boy in the background of one of the photos.
Adjective
-
And so did a few astonished gasps when a drone shot revealed just how far outside of the Mojave tent her crowd of headbanging bodies stretched.
-
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.
Verb
-
To his luck, the sound finally startled the bear and sent it running.
-
Officials apparently were startled when more than 2,000 mostly young fans did just that.
Adjective
-
And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.
-
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.
Adjective
-
At the risk of sounding less like a columnist and more like a bewildered bystander … what the heck happened?
-
Urged by a call from Hugo to destroy her phone and flee Kansas City fast, before WARDEX can get to her, Margaret also hits the road, accompanied initially by a bewildered Jackson.
Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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