as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
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Recent Examples of transfixed
Mainly male, all transfixed by what was taking place on the turf.
—
Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Stepping into the Keijsers Koning gallery, a visitor is immediately transfixed by a score of unblinking eyes.
—Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The idea that animals became transfixed by Francis’ preaching was reiterated in other devotional texts.
—Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Directed by two-time Olivier Award winner Rupert Goold, the play revisits the true story of a Brooklyn bank robbery that spiraled out of control and transfixed the nation.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
This time, Kelly was the star, and my daughter was transfixed—the pronounced jaw, the twinkle in his eye.
—Noah Galuten, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Advertisement The other players in the room look on, transfixed, some laughing at their colleague’s dazzling brilliance.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Or if you're not transfixed by Pluribus, which sees the bulk of Earth's population forming a hive mind, there's a wealth of other content, including a surprisingly large amount of sci-fi.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 29 Nov. 2025
From his standing machine, Elijah watches his sister, transfixed.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 26 Nov. 2025
Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Stepping into the Keijsers Koning gallery, a visitor is immediately transfixed by a score of unblinking eyes.
—Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The idea that animals became transfixed by Francis’ preaching was reiterated in other devotional texts.
—Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Directed by two-time Olivier Award winner Rupert Goold, the play revisits the true story of a Brooklyn bank robbery that spiraled out of control and transfixed the nation.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
This time, Kelly was the star, and my daughter was transfixed—the pronounced jaw, the twinkle in his eye.
—Noah Galuten, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Advertisement The other players in the room look on, transfixed, some laughing at their colleague’s dazzling brilliance.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Or if you're not transfixed by Pluribus, which sees the bulk of Earth's population forming a hive mind, there's a wealth of other content, including a surprisingly large amount of sci-fi.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 29 Nov. 2025
From his standing machine, Elijah watches his sister, transfixed.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfixed
Verb
-
Sanchez's 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Ricks also stabbed Sanchez’s other son, 12-year-old Marcus Figueroa.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At least four of the shots struck Bils, including one that pierced his back.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The bullet pierced his heart before reaching his lungs, his mother said.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The team tested its ability to bend, be compressed, and even punctured.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
-
With a trip to the Etihad to come on Saturday, Newcastle's uplift could swiftly be punctured.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Pirates were picked to finish last in the preseason coaches’ poll.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
And said controversy began the very moment that the Dolphins picked Tagovailoa.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An agent in Massachusetts jabbed his finger and thumb into the neck and arteries of a young father who refused to be separated from his wife and 1-year-old daughter.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
-
As Webster repeatedly jabbed his finger, Rathbun met it with his left hand, as if trying to swat him away.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With a defense-first lineup stuck on the floor and no opportunity to advance the ball, the Nuggets had no choice but to settle for a 60-foot prayer by Gordon at the buzzer.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
One of the problems with attracting qualified teachers is tied to a retirement system stuck in the past.—
Mark Batinick,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Transfixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixed. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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