as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the stupefying figures for poverty and starvation in some parts of the reputedly rich country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
stupefied by the ruling that he could not compete because he missed the qualifying age by two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 stupefying
Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
How will his writing team metabolize the stupefying scene at this year’s BAFTAs into his routine?
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Dark times shade even darker, and yet through it all, in ways both uplifting and stupefying, life goes on.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The popularity Nirvana gained at stupefying speed and unmanageable proportions in 1991 is impossible to replicate in the culture and music industry of 2025.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
As attractive as the idea has been, various analog AI schemes have not delivered in a way that could really take a bite out of AI’s stupefying energy appetite.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025
It’s been 25 years since Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak, with a stupefying seven-person parade a day before the 2001 Baselworld fair.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Again with the stupefying inability to produce with runners in scoring position, underscored by leaving 16 men on base.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
How will his writing team metabolize the stupefying scene at this year’s BAFTAs into his routine?
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Dark times shade even darker, and yet through it all, in ways both uplifting and stupefying, life goes on.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The popularity Nirvana gained at stupefying speed and unmanageable proportions in 1991 is impossible to replicate in the culture and music industry of 2025.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
As attractive as the idea has been, various analog AI schemes have not delivered in a way that could really take a bite out of AI’s stupefying energy appetite.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025
It’s been 25 years since Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak, with a stupefying seven-person parade a day before the 2001 Baselworld fair.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefying
Adjective
-
When Mercury meets Uranus, a surprising option could make the road feel less fixed.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
Swapping in travel-size versions or better yet, pouring your go-tos into small reusable bottles, frees up a surprising amount of space and weight.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Given that the first film showed a man alone in the world, news of family ties are startling.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
-
What a contrast between the vibrancy of Aston Villa, who face Freiburg in Wednesday’s Europa League final with Champions League football already secured, and the startling levels of ineptitude that Liverpool have descended into.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
McGregor first fought at welterweight in 2016 in a shocking loss to Diaz, then defeated Diaz later that year, again in the 170-pound division.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
But at the center of it all is Navarrette, whose fearless turn grounds the film’s shocking premise in something both heartbreaking and haunting.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Present technologies offer stunning opportunities in this respect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
That will cap a stunning reversal after the central bank maintained ultra-low rates—and even negative rates for several years—to fight deflation amid a stagnating economy.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefying. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
