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
Riding and Bamford also display models of what else transfixed that public—magic lanterns, toy theaters, and so on.
—
Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
By the 33rd time, you’re transfixed.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Since the age of silent movies, filmmakers have been transfixed by the idea of blasting off from our home planet to explore the moon.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
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
Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
By the 33rd time, you’re transfixed.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Since the age of silent movies, filmmakers have been transfixed by the idea of blasting off from our home planet to explore the moon.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfixed
Verb
-
Marcus Semien hit a chopper down the left side, which Jorbit Vivas stabbed at wildly while missing it badly.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Two people were stabbed in north London on Wednesday in an attack that police have now formally declared a terrorist incident, prompting a major emergency response and an ongoing counterterrorism investigation.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nikki is tall, pierced, and punk rock; her pink hair is shaved down the sides and forms a floppy mohawk up top.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The Cook County medical examiner’s office found that the fatal shot pierced Rivera’s skin near her left armpit and traveled through both her lungs, wedging itself in her ribs, autopsy records show.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The hero worship was eventually punctured, though, and in the nineteenth century Leonardo and Michelangelo would become the twin heads of Renaissance art genius.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The scissors work great, but because the props team punctured the uterus to assist in the incision, the amniotic liquid started leaking out, seeping into the prosthetic torso Wolf is strapped into.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tight ends had a banner weekend with 22 picked, the most since 2015, according to Sportradar, as the league’s trend of more multi-tight-end formations put a premium on the position.—
Josh Dubow,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Later in the draft, the Chiefs picked Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady, Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson, Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The boxers, aged 40 and 42 respectively, threw hopeful knockout punches and barely jabbed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
With Venus in Gemini aligning with Pluto in Aquarius, honest conversations help shift situations that have been stuck.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But as OutKick’s Joe Kinsey noted, the platform would often combine WNBA and NFL games, leaving subscribers stuck watching both.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Transfixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixed. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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