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 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
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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
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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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Researchers in Mexico have developed a revolutionary zinc-air battery (ZAB) that keeps running even after being punctured, exposed to flames, or even completely submerged in water.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
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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
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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
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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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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
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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 18 Nov. 2025.
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