variants
also dumfounded
1
as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
dumbfounded by the realization that he had just won the grand prize in the multistate lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazed
filled with amazement or wonder
dumbfounded visitors to the Grand Canyon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also dumfounded
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dumbfounded
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Lori listens in dumbfounded silence, keeping her eyes on the prize, and trying not to roll them when Julian makes a comment about the dearth of great women artists—the kind of remark that earned him a close brush with cancellation in the past.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
That had everyone dumbfounded over what was going on and sharing strong reactions to Bucknor's inaccurate call, including those providing commentary on Tuesday night's game, and many fans watching the events unfold.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, the dumbfounded supervisors complied with the state’s request, begrudgingly voting Tuesday to return the bread.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Nonetheless, all the experts, including her coach Geno Auriemma, seem dumbfounded by her.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Now that citizens can stare dumbfounded into the same distracting bright lights (and gambling gateways) via ever-present screens, the whole of the United States has essentially transformed into the hellscape once confined to Nevada’s southern tip.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Colorado has lost four of the past six games, and doubled the amount of regulation losses since Cooper’s dumbfounded laugh.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
The White House has said the president does not believe the lawmakers should be killed, but even Republicans have been left dumbfounded by his response.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2025
Brendan Hellweg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Warren herself is dumbfounded by the bizarre case of mistaken identity.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Even though officials describe work release as a form of custody, the fact that Brom was getting a measure of freedom outraged and dumbfounded many legislators, law enforcement officials and members of the community with knowledge and memories of the horrific crime.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025
But now that the project has been abruptly terminated, leaving veterans dumbfounded by the decision.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The release, which Taco Bell says is one of its most exclusive ever, has some fans dumbfounded and others ready to dive right in.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Cubs fans who have caught Brewers games of late have likely been dumbfounded by their performance.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In 40 years covering South Florida sports, very few things have left me dumbfounded.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Lori listens in dumbfounded silence, keeping her eyes on the prize, and trying not to roll them when Julian makes a comment about the dearth of great women artists—the kind of remark that earned him a close brush with cancellation in the past.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
That had everyone dumbfounded over what was going on and sharing strong reactions to Bucknor's inaccurate call, including those providing commentary on Tuesday night's game, and many fans watching the events unfold.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, the dumbfounded supervisors complied with the state’s request, begrudgingly voting Tuesday to return the bread.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Nonetheless, all the experts, including her coach Geno Auriemma, seem dumbfounded by her.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Now that citizens can stare dumbfounded into the same distracting bright lights (and gambling gateways) via ever-present screens, the whole of the United States has essentially transformed into the hellscape once confined to Nevada’s southern tip.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Colorado has lost four of the past six games, and doubled the amount of regulation losses since Cooper’s dumbfounded laugh.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
The White House has said the president does not believe the lawmakers should be killed, but even Republicans have been left dumbfounded by his response.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
Employers are dumbfounded by the state’s restrictiveness.
—Brendan Hellweg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Warren herself is dumbfounded by the bizarre case of mistaken identity.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Even though officials describe work release as a form of custody, the fact that Brom was getting a measure of freedom outraged and dumbfounded many legislators, law enforcement officials and members of the community with knowledge and memories of the horrific crime.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025
But now that the project has been abruptly terminated, leaving veterans dumbfounded by the decision.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The release, which Taco Bell says is one of its most exclusive ever, has some fans dumbfounded and others ready to dive right in.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Cubs fans who have caught Brewers games of late have likely been dumbfounded by their performance.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounded
Adjective
-
When James hit the tying three, the fans wearing the Rockets’ red T-shirts stood in stunned silence.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, amid the loss of the iconic Goodall, stunned students pivoted to planting the first tree in her honor.—
Julianna Lozada,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Padres season-ticket holders in the 300 level at Petco Park for four years, both were amazed by their baseball weekend.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Tito played and my father was amazed.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The research team, comprising Tae Yeon Kim, a postdoctoral fellow, and Lane Martin, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Rice University, was surprised by the large increase in magnetization.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Love Project’s success even surprised a school superintendent who came to hear Arleen give a talk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pair shared a sweet slideshow on Instagram in December 2023 that showed Wilson getting down on one knee in front of a Christmas tree to ask a shocked van der Pol to marry him.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
His death has left many shocked and outraged.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In her interview with Makeup Artist Magazine, Johnson seemed astonished by her brush with so much greatness.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The parents at this kind of show, of course, are less dumbstruck than the kids: The card is not floating but instead swinging on some string.—
Joseph Vukov,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2024
Adjective
-
Garcia says, acting out the usual blush of so many bewildered men.—
Darío Gael Blanco,
Vanity Fair,
25 Apr. 2026
-
My mother looked bewildered and even Father looked up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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