DUMBFOUNDED Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

dumbfounded 1 of 2

adjective

variants also dumfounded

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

as in amazed

filled with amazement or wonder dumbfounded visitors to the Grand Canyon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dumbfounded

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounded

past tense of dumbfound

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 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

Michigan fans looked dumbfounded and despondent at the Big House, watching what looked like the program’s first loss to a MAC team since 2008. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 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 Ron stops and stares ahead, dumbfounded, with a man’s shirt in his hand and blood running down his face. — Barry Levitt, Los Angeles Times, 12 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

Fernández’s adaptation is anxious to turn tragedy into a sermon, offering theatergoers moral solace where Sophocles leaves his audience in a contemplative state of stunned silence.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
What happened next — footage of a stunned DeLonge, Hoppus, and Barker on set watching President Bush’s address after the attacks— aired later that week on MTV News.

— Sarah Shanfield, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of stunned

Adjective

Everyone was amazed that, yes, this teeny tiny thing was actually a functioning camera that could take relatively good pictures, and not just a cute, decorative keychain.

— Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Experts are amazed to see such progress in the humanoid robot industry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of amazed

Verb

Some were excellent in ways that surprised me and compelled me to see more, some were familiar or forgettable, and others even at just a few minutes in length felt unbearably long.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
According to an industry report by Luminate, the first half of 2026 saw a 16 percent surge in CD sales — and you might be surprised by who’s buying them.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of surprised

Adjective

The man who was shocked was taken to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan with life-threatening injuries.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
But something fascinating was happening behind the scenes, coinciding with the disaster that had sent Olin overseas and left her bandmates, Augustin and Nathan Slone — located in New York City — shocked.

— Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocked

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

Definition of astonished

Verb

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
This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of startled

Adjective

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
That bewildered shake of the head after Meyer's pitch in that video is not a rare occurrence for Raleigh this year.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewildered

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“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dumbfounded

adjective

verb

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