stupefy

[ stoo-puh-fahy, styoo- ]

verb (used with object)

, stu·pe·fied, stu·pe·fy·ing.

1. to put into a state of little or no sensibility; benumb the faculties of; put into a stupor.
2. to stun, as with a narcotic, a shock, or a strong emotion.
3. to overwhelm with amazement; astound; astonish.

stupefy

/ ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to render insensitive or lethargic
2. to confuse or astound

Derived Forms

• ˈstupeˌfying, adjective
• ˈstupeˌfier, noun
• ˈstupeˌfyingly, adverb

Other Words From

• stu·pe·fied·ness [stoo, -p, uh, -fahyd-nis, -fahy-id-, styoo, -], noun
• stupe·fier noun
• stupe·fying·ly adverb
• un·stupe·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stupefy¹

1590–1600; < Middle French stupefier ≪ Latin stupefacere to benumb, equivalent to stupe-, stem of stupēre to be numb or stunned + facere to make, do ¹; -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of stupefy¹

C16: from Old French stupefier, from Latin stupefacere; see stupefacient

Example Sentences

I suspect that only picking Georgia firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for Surgeon General would have been more stupefying.

From Salon

But the stupefyingly great orchestra also happens to be a showcase for Venezuela’s famed countrywide music education program El Sistema, which is funded by, and can serve as a propaganda tool for, Maduro’s government.

From Los Angeles Times

I was chosen to be in “Goodbye, Columbus,” and then everything exploded with the stupefying surprise of “Love Story” — this cost-nothing project nobody expected to be a success.

From New York Times

But she also told of stumbling half-aware into sex with a powerful older man whom she found repulsive in many ways, leaving her confused and stupefied.

From Seattle Times

It was the best Abel had ever done, a perfect representation of stupefied repose.

From Literature

Related Words

• astound
• bemuse
• bewilder
• flabbergast
• nonplus