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
Although organizers have kept much of the exhibition under wraps, visitors can expect to be transfixed by a thoroughly Los Angeles tale.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Afterward, in a somber postgame locker room, Kelce stared down at his fingertips while resting his elbows on his knees, remaining transfixed for a few minutes while still in full uniform.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Afterward, in a somber postgame locker room, Kelce stared down at his fingertips while resting his elbows on his knees, remaining transfixed for a few minutes while still in full uniform.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfixed
Verb
-
Another did not investigate a claim that a resident was stabbed by a fork-wielding manager, records show.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The 39-year-old homeless man who allegedly stabbed a woman in downtown Los Angeles was wanted for allegedly killing someone last year, according to a law enforcement bulletin a source provided to CBS LA.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bullet that struck McKay passed through his arm, pierced his torso and struck his heart inside the Key Gardens burger joint, on Metropolitan Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
When mixture returns to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook potatoes until they can be pierced with a fork but do not fall apart, about 10 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Black used the hatchet to damage the vehicle and punctured the tires with a knife, documents said.—
Ray Stern,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Beckett’s patter of repetitions and reversals—as the tape is rewound, replayed, and punctured by Krapp’s speech in the present—resembles Lerner’s technique.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rabell was wearing her nightgown, sobbing, shaking and slumped against her cane when Horta picked her up, Horta said.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Neon picked it up with a commitment to stand by the Not Rated cut alone.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The casting director playfully jabbed Anderson in her acceptance speech, referencing the filmmaker's 14 career Oscar nominations without a victory.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Physical abuse reports involve workers being jabbed with kitchen tools, pushed and punched in the face and stomach by chef René Redzepi and others under him who adopted his management style and culture.—
Shindy Chen
March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The average commuter spends 63 hours a year stuck in traffic.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The suspect was stuck in the shoulder while a stray bullet grazed a sleeping 71-year-old in a near by home.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Transfixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixed. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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