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
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
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
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
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 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
-
In a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast — hosted by the wife of Stephen Miller, who currently serves as homeland security advisor to the White House — Kennedy expressed astonishment that the president is even alive.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
16 Jan. 2026
-
As their conversation unfolds, Lomax’s astonishment that such a very young lady of high birth and seemingly no particular education would take an interest in affairs of state increases.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To Suzuki’s amazement, Yamagami’s single violent act began to achieve what decades of his own muckraking had not.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Many prominent sports figures took to social media to express their amazement of Indiana's unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Former detainees and human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and severe abuses inside the facility, including beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged stress positions and other degrading treatment.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Fans were apoplectic, their initial shock quickly boiling to anger.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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