as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
upon hearing the unexpected news, she just sat there in total stupefaction
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stupefaction
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
—Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2021
The tourists, speaking in bad French, shake their heads in stupefaction.
—New York Times, 7 Feb. 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
—Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2021
The tourists, speaking in bad French, shake their heads in stupefaction.
—New York Times, 7 Feb. 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefaction
Noun
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Dershowitz during the impeachment trial offered an expansive defense of presidential power that provoked astonishment among Democrats.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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Rapace’s response externalizes four different beats, from a snort to a tear, astonishment to anger.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And rather than indignation or rage or fury, what comes through in the letters is his sheer amazement at being in this predicament.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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Redditors React Redditors were quick to share their amazement.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Last year’s shock results included Aston Villa beating Bayern Munich 1-0 at home in the league phase, as Unai Emery led them to the quarter-finals.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Sneakily announced right before the Emmy Awards started on Sunday night, the news came as a shock considering Stokes had just posted an Instagram photo dump celebrating Ballerini’s birthday two days prior on September 12.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 2025 Country Music Association Awards nominations have been revealed, and there are, of course, some snubs and surprises.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Paramount’s apparent interest is no surprise since the company’s ambitious new CEO, David Ellison, has talked about a desire to strike further deals.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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