dumbfounding 1 of 2

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dumbfounding

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounding
present participle of dumbfound
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader

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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 dumbfounding
Verb
The June jobs report showed leisure and hospitality jobs plunged by 61,000 positions – a number so dumbfounding that economists widely expect that to get revised . — David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Stroud’s development has stalled in Houston, where the Texans’ offensive line has long been a problem but can’t explain his erratic decision-making and dumbfounding turnovers. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounding
  1. surprising
  2. amazing
  3. startling
  4. stunning
  5. shocking
  6. astonishing
Adjective
  • The development isn’t surprising considering McVay and his assistants weren’t pushing Donald to play.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Some of the better chances provoked surprising misses, in particular a header from close range from the normally dependable Merino glanced straight at the ‘keeper, and a swipe by Saka that was shanked wide.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • Chelsea have lapses of startling vulnerability out of possession, and while Odegaard’s winner early in the second half was decorated by a sublime Havertz dummy, the move which led to it was far too simple to settle a game of this quality.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • There are startling displays of what seem to be private moments, as when, at one point, Evans allows the crew to film him showering fully naked.
    — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of startling
Verb
  • Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of stunning
Adjective
  • That whole sequence with Troy and Susan at the start of this episode is just … shocking.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Other films have handled the shocking deaths of romantic leads with more grace — Anne Hathaway riding her bike in front of a certain semi-truck in 2011 comes to mind — even while doing objectively less to ensure that they’re understood.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocking
Verb
  • Booming demand Anthropic’s growth has been astonishing even by Silicon Valley standards.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of astonishing

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Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounding. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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