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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Healey, wearing her crisp white Red Sox uniform and Wu dressed in resplendent red with her Red Sox hat, looked somewhat stunned at the reaction but did not flee.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd, which included Brazilian great Ronaldo, seemed stunned and deflated.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wenger is amazed by the number of bike riders who take their bikes on the train even in winter.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Kids tend to be amazed by the sheer scale of the house, and the surrounding grounds give little legs plenty of room to run.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adenot asked the Artemis 2 astronauts what has surprised them during their mission so far.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In December, the USPS introduced a new auction process enabling retailers and logistics carriers to bid on access to its last-mile delivery network in a move that surprised Amazon, and likely threw a wrench in the contract negotiations between both parties.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Millen got shell-shocked, got phased out and eventually transferred out.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday, Lindsay Hubbard posted a selfie with Miller to her Instagram Stories, and a second still of herself from Summer House with a shocked reaction.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So he was astonished when Megson informed him he was being released.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
This sometimes left audience members bewildered about what had actually happened.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The passenger in the back eventually looked up from her phone, noticed Louise, and locked eyes with this bewildered-looking woman blocking the crosswalk.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kevin Uribe, another employee, said the sound of the collapse initially startled him.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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