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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stupefying
Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
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
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
It’s been 25 years since Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak, with a stupefying seven-person parade a day before the 2001 Baselworld fair.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Then the canvas was left to the inimitable and inevitable Messi, who at age 38 scored three goals in stupefying fashion (and nearly a fourth that was offside) on the way to a 3-0 victory.
—Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
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
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
It’s been 25 years since Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak, with a stupefying seven-person parade a day before the 2001 Baselworld fair.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefying
Adjective
-
This surprising mix of cripsy prosciutto, Parmesan wafers, figs, and nuts will be a hit at your next party.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
-
Within these nearly three dozen documents are a bunch of curious, surprising, and illuminating things about this year’s Emmy hopefuls.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 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
-
The swelling was significant, the bruising startling and the healing process appeared long and painful.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
-
Thursday’s cacophony of startling videos – with Ukrainian drones arriving in waves over the flames to follow up on strike after strike – marks a global moment of clarity, in which the Kremlin is truly struggling.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
That 26-year-old Haitian, Joe Gaetjens, scored the winning goal, heading in a pass from Walter Bahr and shocking the sports world.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Dozens of older homes, most built during the area’s postwar building boom, were in a state of shocking disrepair.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
His Qatari side equalized in the final minutes of their opening game, stunning the Swiss in the Bay Area in one of the shock results of the first weekend of the tournament.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
But spending 20 minutes staging content at the only overlook or the most stunning waterfall while a line of hikers waits behind you is not the move.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefying. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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