variants
also dumfounding
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the dumbfounding sight of the race car driver walking away from that horrific crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also dumfounding
as in amazing
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounding
Adjective
-
There was a top 10 team that lost, but BYU was a 10-point underdog at Texas Tech, so the Red Raiders’ convincing win wasn’t technically all that surprising.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025 -
Instead, my friend and I were greeted by a mostly calm experience, which was surprising for a Friday night in South End.—
Evan Moore
November 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
However, what was so startling about Gueye’s performance was the decision-making.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
His comment was startling to the rest of the band.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Antetokounmpo delivered one of the most amazing closeout performances of all-time.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
And the reach of Prime Video, especially globally, is really, really amazing.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Technology glitches, shocking headlines and erratic behavior aren’t unusual under this type of transit, so keep your eyes peeled.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Is there a way for the film to hold an audience member through the violence instead of shocking them with it, and to meet them on the other side with an open heart?—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Republican finger-pointing has begun in the wake of Democrats’ stunning success in Tuesday night’s elections.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Last summer, following Mamdani’s stunning primary victory, many friends and colleagues were anxious that this Democratic candidate was too liberal, too anti-business, too inexperienced for the global stage, and simply too young.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Every few minutes the jungle deposited us onto an astonishing beach.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The astonishing result, achieved by the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) collaboration, represents the first-ever observation of single top quark production with W and Z bosons, a process known as tWZ production.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounding. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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