as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the stupefying figures for poverty and starvation in some parts of the reputedly rich country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
stupefied by the ruling that he could not compete because he missed the qualifying age by two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of stupefying
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
And because only days before the February 2021 surgery Mahomes had scrambled a stupefying 497 yards behind the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball or being sacked in a 31-9 drubbing by Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Dark times shade even darker, and yet through it all, in ways both uplifting and stupefying, life goes on.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The popularity Nirvana gained at stupefying speed and unmanageable proportions in 1991 is impossible to replicate in the culture and music industry of 2025.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
As attractive as the idea has been, various analog AI schemes have not delivered in a way that could really take a bite out of AI’s stupefying energy appetite.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025
Verb
How will his writing team metabolize the stupefying scene at this year’s BAFTAs into his routine?
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
And because only days before the February 2021 surgery Mahomes had scrambled a stupefying 497 yards behind the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball or being sacked in a 31-9 drubbing by Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Dark times shade even darker, and yet through it all, in ways both uplifting and stupefying, life goes on.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The popularity Nirvana gained at stupefying speed and unmanageable proportions in 1991 is impossible to replicate in the culture and music industry of 2025.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
As attractive as the idea has been, various analog AI schemes have not delivered in a way that could really take a bite out of AI’s stupefying energy appetite.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefying
Adjective
-
Still just a simulation And the results were surprising.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
-
He was known for personally digging into the details of bureau investigations, even on minor cases, and surprising agents who suddenly found themselves on the phone with him.—
Julia Kimani-Burnham,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
-
Developed by Laerdal Medical, the high-fidelity mannequin was designed to recreate real childbirth conditions with startling realism.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
-
During his time as chair, Powell has faced a global pandemic that rippled through supply chains for years, a startling war in Ukraine that caused an energy shock, a battery of tariffs, and now this war in Iran, which the IEA has warned threatens to cause the worst energy crisis in history.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The season cancellation on March 19 comes after TMZ published a shocking video showing the 2023 violent altercation with Paul, seen yelling, hitting, kicking and throwing furniture at Mortensen while a child is heard crying.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
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Garcia said the shocking allegations became public at a time when many Mexican Americans are seeing immigration arrests ripping families apart, people afraid to leave their homes, immigrants in prolonged detention and some dying in immigration custody.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Still with a chance to win the game, UF point guard Xavian Lee took the ensuring inbounds pass the length of the court and dribbled behind the basket, but the Hawkeyes deflected his pass attempt to Haugh in the lane to secure the stunning upset.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
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Today, the Dolomites are a UNESCO heritage site and their beauty attracts celebrities and huge numbers of other tourists — many lured by images shared on social media of the turquoise Alpine lakes and stunning peaks.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Kate Hawley won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her astonishing fantasy-period costumes, while Cliona Furey was part of the team that won the prize for Best Makeup & Hairstyling.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Mar. 2026
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McAdams remembered both Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton; Streisand gave an astonishing eulogy to her co-star and friend Robert Redford.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefying. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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