as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 transfix
This time, Kelly was the star, and my daughter was transfixed—the pronounced jaw, the twinkle in his eye.
—
Noah Galuten, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Advertisement The other players in the room look on, transfixed, some laughing at their colleague’s dazzling brilliance.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Or if you're not transfixed by Pluribus, which sees the bulk of Earth's population forming a hive mind, there's a wealth of other content, including a surprisingly large amount of sci-fi.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 29 Nov. 2025
From his standing machine, Elijah watches his sister, transfixed.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transfix
Noah Galuten, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Advertisement The other players in the room look on, transfixed, some laughing at their colleague’s dazzling brilliance.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Or if you're not transfixed by Pluribus, which sees the bulk of Earth's population forming a hive mind, there's a wealth of other content, including a surprisingly large amount of sci-fi.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 29 Nov. 2025
From his standing machine, Elijah watches his sister, transfixed.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transfix
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfix
Verb
-
The non-profit also found a teenager who stabbed people outside a mosque in Turkey appeared to have been influenced by nihilistic subcultures.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The 22-year-old daughter of Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband Saturday in what police said was an apparent botched murder-suicide.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From another ward not too far away, the piercing screams of a patient are audible.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The dress was a reference to Thierry Mugler’s bold and iconic spring couture 1998 runway show, in which Erica Vanbriel modeled the original nipple piercing dress.—
Alexandra Hildreth,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
One of the bullets struck Boyd in the abdomen, traveled through his body, and ultimately punctured one of his lungs.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Warren went to pick her up at her parents' house, her brothers, Kevin, Reggie and Wayne, surrounded him.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
These cities were picked for their real estate, ideal locations and unique activities.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The crucial employment snapshot is slightly delayed because of the brief government shutdown and will show whether the trajectory improved for the US labor market, which has been stuck in a low-hire and low-fire lull.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The littlest boy pulled out a strikingly large gun and stuck it in my face.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Where Volkanovski is clearly better is at distance, using his technique to kick at Lopes and jab him.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Donalds also used the opportunity to jab at Democratic gubernatorial rivals David Jolly and, particularly, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Transfix.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfix. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
