variants also dumfound

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dumbfound differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dumbfound are bewilder, confound, distract, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

In what contexts can bewilder take the place of dumbfound?

In some situations, the words bewilder and dumbfound are roughly equivalent. However, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When is it sensible to use confound instead of dumbfound?

While the synonyms confound and dumbfound are close in meaning, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When would distract be a good substitute for dumbfound?

The meanings of distract and dumbfound largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When could nonplus be used to replace dumbfound?

The words nonplus and dumbfound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Where would perplex be a reasonable alternative to dumbfound?

Although the words perplex and dumbfound have much in common, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

When might puzzle be a better fit than dumbfound?

The synonyms puzzle and dumbfound are sometimes interchangeable, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dumbfound Photographs of Nahapetian at the film’s premiere dumbfounded a fair number of social media users, who had also mistaken the actor for a de-aged Phoenix after watching the trailer. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 Apr. 2023 Witnesses told The Times that spectators were dumbfounded. Rachel Uranga, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Apr. 2023 The TikTok hack that currently has people dumbfounded involves one of the most basic and useful kitchen tools—the potato peeler. Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2023 One Silicon Valley Bank employee, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, was dumbfounded by how Becker publicly acknowledged the extent of the bank’s financial troubles before privately lining up the necessary financial support to ride out the storm. Mark Thompson, CNN, 14 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for dumbfound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfound
Verb
  • Jade King Carroll: Chisa creates characters and stories that continually surprise you.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • This former rail town with a population of less than 700 is an unexpected delight that surprises with a formal tea room, a vista-laden vineyard, and easy access to the New River Trail, the longest rail-trail in Virginia.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fans and the producers were shocked by their final choice because of how Brion had acted during the show.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Rachel Zegler is still shocked by some of her experiences throughout the West Side Story casting process.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The science behind the process continues to amaze me.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Extraordinary craftsmanship that amazed even the architect.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When Kent and Renaud approach the local U.S. marshal for help, they’re astonished to meet Mamie Fossett, a she-marshal played by Jennifer Carpenter.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Newsweek has rounded up six of the James Webb Space Telescope's remarkable discoveries that have astonished scientists.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In terms of other Disney live-action princess remakes, Beauty and the Beast astounded when opening to $174.6 million domestically in mid-March 2017, not adjusted for inflation.
    Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2025
  • What astounds, though, are the sculpture’s extraordinary eyes.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Elton John ‘flabbergasted’ and teary after Biden surprises him with medal More anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed into state law in the first four months of this year than at any other time in U.S. history, a Post analysis earlier this year found.
    Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 20 June 2023
  • The stadium negotiator was flabbergasted that the A’s had dodged both requests.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
Verb
  • News coverage can’t prepare you for the stupefying endlessness of the destruction, nor for the metallic stench that seeps in through closed windows.
    Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Even amid the stupefying information overload of Trump’s first week back in office, this is shocking.
    Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dumbfound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfound. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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