dazzle

verb

daz·​zle ˈda-zəl How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
dazzled; dazzling ˈdaz-liŋ How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
ˈda-zə-liŋ
Synonyms of dazzle

intransitive verb

1
: to lose clear vision especially from looking at bright light
2
a
: to shine brilliantly
… the woods dazzled whitely …—Truman Capote
b
: to arouse admiration by an impressive display
She dazzles in her live concerts.

transitive verb

1
: to overpower with light
was dazzled by the camera flash
2
: to impress deeply, overpower, or confound with brilliance
dazzled us with her wit
dazzle noun
dazzler
ˈda-z(ə-)lər How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
noun

Synonyms of dazzle

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Examples of dazzle in a Sentence

Elvis always dazzled his audiences. Visitors were dazzled by the mansion's ornate rooms. She truly dazzles in her live concerts.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Sculpting her natural gifts of wit and brazenness into a living artwork dazzled all who came within her orbit. — Steve Wasserman, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026 Beads of water sprang free from the humidity and dazzled in the afternoon sun, one last flash of light before the storm arrived. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026 Several of these have yielded extraordinary treasures, many of which are on display at the town’s dazzling National Museum. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 July 2026 Its brooding, cyberpunk aesthetic is a strong visual choice for telling the story of a former Sith lord whose double-bladed lightsaber dazzled so many viewers in The Phantom Menace. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dazzle

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of daze

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dazzle was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing dazzle

Browse Nearby Words

dazedness
dazzle
dazzlement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dazzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dazzle. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dazzle

verb
daz·​zle ˈdaz-əl How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
dazzled; dazzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
1
: to overpower with light
the desert sunlight dazzled us
2
: to impress greatly or confuse with brilliance
dazzled the crowds with fiery speeches
dazzle noun
dazzler
-(ə-)lər How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
noun
dazzlingly
-(ə-)liŋ-lē How to pronounce dazzle (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on dazzle

Nglish: Translation of dazzle for Spanish Speakers

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