as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
upon hearing the unexpected news, she just sat there in total stupefaction
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Recent Examples of stupefaction
And stupefaction of the far right.
—
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Does freeing oneself from stupefaction involve confronting a terrifying reality, or abandoning it?
—Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
—Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Does freeing oneself from stupefaction involve confronting a terrifying reality, or abandoning it?
—Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
—Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefaction
Noun
-
Swilling beers from sponsor Corona, the hosts marveled at the turnaround, expressing the same astonishment that Larry David, Ben Stiller and other fans were showing on the ABC telecast.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
-
Reflecting on the news that Lawrence solved the mystery, Summer House star Jesse Solomon expressed total astonishment.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Even his core interest in creatures, so often a well of amazement and positivity, couldn’t pull him up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Harbour bellowed as co-star Winona Ryder, by his side, made an expression of amazement that turned into a meme.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The standoff triggered one of the largest oil shocks ever recorded, sending gasoline prices higher.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
Most American soccer fans wouldn’t hesitate in saying that the United States winning the World Cup would clearly be a much bigger shock than the group of literal amateurs upsetting the greatest ice hockey team on watch at the 1980 winter games.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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