dumbstruck

[ duhm-struhk ]

adjective

1. temporarily deprived of the power of speech, as by surprise or confusion; dumbfounded.

dumbstruck

/ ˈdʌmˌstrʌk; ˈdʌmˌstrɪkən /

adjective

1. temporarily deprived of speech through shock or surprise

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbstruck¹

First recorded in 1885–90; dumb + struck

Example Sentences

Razi leaned out for a better view, but Shifa was dumbstruck, beads of spray from the whale clinging to her face.

From Literature

Just when you think you’ve wrapped your head around the peculiar behavior of intransitive dice, the brilliant construction below will roll you right back to dumbstruck awe.

From Scientific American

Matt Damon, riding the success of “Good Will Hunting” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” plays Cole as a sensitive lad dumbstruck by love.

From New York Times

“I was dumbstruck by John’s performance,” he told the California newspaper The Fresno Bee in 2008.

From New York Times

The best reference point, again, is early-days Twitter; I’m old enough to remember logging on in the late ’00s and being lost and faintly dumbstruck by the scene there.

From Los Angeles Times