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
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
After the game and during the team's media availability, Hart was joined by Haze, who was seemingly transfixed by Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 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
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
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
After the game and during the team's media availability, Hart was joined by Haze, who was seemingly transfixed by Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfixed
Verb
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Investigators found the bodies nearby — Davis and Shelton had been shot, Friedt had been stabbed with a hunting knife whose blade broke off in her chest, and Flemmons died from asphyxiation after suffering blunt-force injuries, per A&E, citing Julie Young’s book The Burger Chef Murders in Indiana.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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The ambassador stabbed Berry during the struggle, the Sheriff’s Office said.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ade stood over his bride, deeply concerned, when a lively drum roll pierced the air.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Consuelos discussed an increase in mosquitos while a buzzing noise pierced the air.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the worst happens and the dome is punctured, 2,000 tonnes of CO2 will enter the atmosphere.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
21 Dec. 2025
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The same could not be said of her trachea, which had been punctured lethally from the attack.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Daniel Lewis and Pete Prisco at CBS Sports both picked New England in close games.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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If only a few in number, they can be hand-picked from the plants and destroyed.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The inmates jabbed him repeatedly.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
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But there is a primal scream stuck in our collective throat.—
Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Even after the pick-less Young trade, there does seem to be a pathway present for the Heat to restock with draft picks while, like the Hawks, continually stuck in play-in-ville.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Transfixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixed. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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