dumbfound

or dum·found

[ duhm-found, duhm-found ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make speechless with amazement; astonish.

   Synonyms: stagger, astound, confound, amaze

dumbfound

/ dʌmˈfaʊnd /

verb

1. tr to strike dumb with astonishment; amaze

Other Words From

• dumb·found·er·ment dum·found·er·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbfound¹

First recorded in 1645–55; dumb + (con)found

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbfound¹

C17: from dumb + ( con ) found

Example Sentences

Any other result but a four or five nil win for the Gunners would be catastrophic for Arsenal and dumbfound us all.

From BBC

It will defy assumption after assumption, dazzle and dumbfound, stun and stir, swerve and swerve back almost as if cackling.

From Washington Post

Lavelle’s ability to dumbfound defenses will be crucial to the U.S. team’s play for the next four years and beyond.

From Slate

There was no immediate catharsis on Tuesday, no definitive national rebuke of a president whose bottomless depravity continues to dumbfound more than half the country.

From New York Times

But everyone else should strive to inform, not dumbfound, and that means that writers should make it clear to their readers what they are trying to accomplish.

From Literature

Related Words

• amaze
• astonish
• bewilder
• boggle
• confound
• flabbergast
• nonplus
• puzzle
• startle
• stun