dumbfounding 1 of 2

adjective

variants also dumfounding
Definition of dumbfoundingnext
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness the dumbfounding sight of the race car driver walking away from that horrific crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dumbfounding

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounding
present participle of dumbfound
as in surprising
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounding
  1. startling
  2. surprising
  3. shocking
  4. astonishing
  5. amazing
  6. stunning
Adjective
  • As temperatures plummet below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, these cold-blooded reptiles become lethargic and drop from trees, startling residents.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • But also to both the vital everyday structures and the cultural monuments that helped mark this place’s stunning achievements, told its citizens’ stories and embodied its startling confluence of talent, originality and freedom.
    Sam Lubell, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • Miku's addition to Fortnite isn't surprising given that season 6 of the battle royale is celebrating Japanese culture and history.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
  • That’s a surprising and sudden change, because we’ve been told for years that Meta is on a mission to protect users from misinformation and hate speech.
    John Brandon, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.
    Ashley Hume, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Having the Internet all the time was astonishing and felt like the future.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The Spurs rookie is averaging 1.0 steals and an astonishing 3.9 blocks per game this season.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • The ones that look amazing until the light hits just right, and suddenly they’re see-through.
    Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025
  • This amazing five-piece band has more than 20 years of industry experience.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • Set in the realm of ancient Greek mythology, the slot offers stunning visuals and an immersive soundtrack. 88 Fortunes Megaways The classic Megaways slot deserves to be on your bucket list due to its 117,649 ways to win.
    Matthew Gover, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Chalamet’s appearance at the Golden Globes is only the latest in a splashy press tour for A Complete Unknown, which has received generally positive reactions from critics commending his stunning portrayal of the rock icon.
    Luke Chinman, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Definition of stunning
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near dumbfounding

dumbfounded

dumbfounding

dumbfounds

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounding. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on dumbfounding

Nglish: Translation of dumbfounding for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

Word of the Year 2024 | Polarization

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
white rubber duck stands out in a row of yellow ducks
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.