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
And stupefaction of the far right.
—
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Does freeing oneself from stupefaction involve confronting a terrifying reality, or abandoning it?
—Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 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
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Does freeing oneself from stupefaction involve confronting a terrifying reality, or abandoning it?
—Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 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
-
That’s why teammates stood in astonishment, except for one.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Shortly after the first official auction, Kaiser texted Keeney to express astonishment over the strong buzz.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Connor says, reproducing his amazement.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Two years later — to my complete amazement — that idea has become a movement.—
Blake Crisses,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
No Platner supporter, however, can feel certain that the shocks have ceased.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
Chloe Demrovsky, a professor at New York University, member of the Coalition for an Insurable Future and former FEMA National Advisory Council member, said most Americans cannot absorb a financial shock of more than $1,000, making insurance a critical safety net.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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