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
Does freeing oneself from stupefaction involve confronting a terrifying reality, or abandoning it?
—
Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
But perhaps indoctrination and stupefaction go hand in hand.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
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
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
But perhaps indoctrination and stupefaction go hand in hand.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
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
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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Lane Hunter vented his astonishment on TikTok that AC might not be turned on in his apartment building until early or mid-May.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Olivia Miles makes the types of nifty passes that can leave fans gasping in astonishment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The book is a mostly light-hearted exploration of Bennett's relationship with the tournament, from growing up in England rooting for his local soccer heroes, to watching in amazement every four years as teams from all over the globe take the spotlight on the World Cup stage.—
Jeffrey Pierre,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
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When Adebayo hit his final two foul shots to reach 83 points, players shook their heads in amazement.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Anybody who embarks on a study of plagiarism hoping for bright lines is in for a foggy shock.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
No single policy will likely work to blunt the economic shocks from the war across the bloc's myriad markets from Romania to Ireland.—
SAM McNEIL,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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