as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of transfixed
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
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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Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Mark Sanchez was stabbed in an incident in downtown Indianapolis early Saturday morning, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and he was later arrested on Saturday evening for his role in the incident.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Oct. 2025
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Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez has been hospitalized after he was reportedly stabbed on Friday night in Indianapolis.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While Anderson is rightfully considered a master in his artform by critics and film aficionados, One Battle After Another pierced the veil and resulted in the director’s highest opening weekend at the box office last weekend.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
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Sharp cracks of gunfire pierced the morning air, loud, jarring pangs that echoed off the concrete.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And, in the process, the trio of ’70s babies punctured the myth that rap is a young man’s sport.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
2 Oct. 2025
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Tyrone Taylor’s three RBIs had punctured Spencer Schwellenbach, and Peterson took a 4-1 lead into the eighth having retired 11 of the last 12.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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If the school doesn’t have room for all students who picked it as their top choice, the school will accept the highest-scoring students from that group.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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To score the jackpot prize, a person’s ticket must match all five numbers picked in a drawing, according to game rules.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Investors and economists are stuck looking to other sources of data for information about the economy.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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In the meantime, borrowers stuck in the backlog may not be making progress toward loan forgiveness, either under the terms of an IDR plan or through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Transfixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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