as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of transfixed
This has a slot machine-style effect on gamblers, who keep feeding their apps money, transfixed by each new bet.
—
David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Some moments he was transfixed by Sendak’s illustrations, particularly one of a rabbit, under one of Jack’s spells, pummeling the nameless dog; at others by the nature of Jack’s transformation.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Every time Daniel Day-Lewis speaks, you're transfixed That’s not unlike the experience of watching the film.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Over the weekend, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another won a partial victory in an ongoing war for audience share that has transfixed Hollywood since March.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Before there was Latin trap, Puerto Rico was transfixed by reggaetón, a swaggering style based on a loping, staccato beat known as dembow, which derives from dancehall reggae.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
The mountain lion walks slowly up the porch to the front door of the property before briefly stopping as if transfixed by something inside.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Characters in Vineland are numbly transfixed by television, and violence permeates the culture of 1984.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Some moments he was transfixed by Sendak’s illustrations, particularly one of a rabbit, under one of Jack’s spells, pummeling the nameless dog; at others by the nature of Jack’s transformation.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Every time Daniel Day-Lewis speaks, you're transfixed That’s not unlike the experience of watching the film.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Over the weekend, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another won a partial victory in an ongoing war for audience share that has transfixed Hollywood since March.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Before there was Latin trap, Puerto Rico was transfixed by reggaetón, a swaggering style based on a loping, staccato beat known as dembow, which derives from dancehall reggae.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
The mountain lion walks slowly up the porch to the front door of the property before briefly stopping as if transfixed by something inside.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Characters in Vineland are numbly transfixed by television, and violence permeates the culture of 1984.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfixed
Verb
-
Like the other eight couples who were killed, they were found shot and stabbed in their cars.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As president of the United States, he was stabbed in the heart with a letter opener by a septuagenarian cuckold.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Consuelos discussed an increase in mosquitos while a buzzing noise pierced the air.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
-
In the clip, Hudson held onto her daughter's hand as the body artist pierced her daughter's ears.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their necks were broken and they were dragged away to the bush to be impaled, their bowels punctured.—
Adam L. Rovner,
The Conversation,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The moon is covered with about 10 meters of regolith, a mix of dust, ash and rocks punctured by craters and boulders—not pristine landing pads.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lecholop acknowledged that the key feature of the process is removing a board elected by the community and replacing it with one hand-picked by Morath.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In a surprising turn of events, Grande picked an audience member to perform opposite with, instead of her usual scene partner Erivo as Elphaba.—
Haley Kluge,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In a post on X, Massie jabbed House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for his lack of support over the bill.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Frantic customers are seen watching the chaotic scene unfold and fleeing, with some tumbling to the ground after seemingly being jabbed.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Get live security wait times, so you’re not stuck in a five‑hour shuffle line that’s already happening.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Sheridan figured out how to format her book, made a cover for it and stuck it on Amazon.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Transfixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixed. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share