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
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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
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Glimpses of both are embedded inside her bracing work, along with a healthy dose of stupefaction and bewilderment.
—Christopher Knightart Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022
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
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
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Glimpses of both are embedded inside her bracing work, along with a healthy dose of stupefaction and bewilderment.
—Christopher Knightart Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefaction
Noun
-
This article aims to challenge this prevailing sense of astonishment.—
David Chauvet,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Breeding for More Than Just Color Mr. Baker could have supplied his customers with a flashy assortment of coleus ordered from wholesale sources, skipping years of effort (but missing all the astonishment).—
Margaret Roach,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Though their time in space was short, all six stepped away from the experience feeling a serene sense of awe and humble amazement.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Fishburne, 63, says in amazement when seeing the photo, which showed his father wearing glasses and a black suit.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Officers evacuated students from classrooms, as students walked away in shock.—
Graham Hurley, Aaron Fisher and Katherine Jennings,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Julian arrives at the bank as Olympia is standing in the vault, looking at the papers in shock.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Putin on Saturday claimed his country’s forces have recaptured Kursk, the border region where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive last year, though Kyiv insists its troops are fiercely battling to preserve their foothold in the territory.—
Helen Regan and Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2025
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The moon meeting Uranus can bring some surprise news out of the blue.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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