dumbfounded 1 of 2

variants also dumfounded

dumbfounded

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounded
past tense of dumbfound

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dumbfounded
Adjective
Roberts, dumbfounded, asked a clarifying question. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025 Accompanied by Danny Elfman’s jazzy score, the sequence feels genuinely dangerous, as cops and onlookers alike stand dumbfounded at Kiritsis’ brazen gambit. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 But all that has left many small and medium-sized vendors dumbfounded as to why Saks has not kept its promise to pay its bills, while larger vendors and luxury conglomerates — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Richemont and Kering — have been getting paid. David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Cubs fans who have caught Brewers games of late have likely been dumbfounded by their performance. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounded
Adjective
  • The argument escalated into a physical brawl, with Lomax and Grossman wrestling on the ground in front of stunned festival staff and musicians.
    Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Sure, shooting someone in the chest eventually does the job, but is it rewarded as well as a headshot, bear trap to the torso, or kicking someone’s face off when they’re stunned on the floor?
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The battle was turbo-charged when Powell surprised markets with a 50 basis point inflation hike in September last year, seen by some as a gift to Trump’s Democratic Party election rival Kamala Harris.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The council’s resolution surprised me.
    Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Inside the West Wing, staff sat in shocked silence, scrolling to see the latest updates of news on their phones and messages on their computer screens.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Lauryn was seen crying and seemingly shocked.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fans in the comments expressed excitement about the forthcoming sequel to the witchy cult classic — which was based on the 1995 Alice Hoffman novel of the same name — while others seemed astonished that filming for the movie has already finished.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, The Pitt only has two wins so far, but Shawn Hatosy wins most astonished speech.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The pitching coach was flabbergasted.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Everybody seems bewildered by this news, his own wife most of all.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Layered in cream, bruised, bewildered, bald.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Even his opponent on Friday, Auger-Aliassime, seemed awed by Sinner’s quarterfinal performance.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Guest was particularly awed by John’s willingness to push past his current health issues for the role.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dumbfounded

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!