dazzle

[ daz-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, daz·zled, daz·zling.

1. to overpower or dim the vision of by intense light:

   He was dazzled by the sudden sunlight.

2. to impress deeply; astonish with delight:

   The glorious palace dazzled him.

   Synonyms: stupefy, overpower, overwhelm, awe

verb (used without object)

, daz·zled, daz·zling.

1. to shine or reflect brilliantly:

   gems dazzling in the sunlight.

2. to be overpowered by light:

   Her eyes dazzled in the glare.

3. to excite admiration by brilliance:

   Once one is accustomed to such splendor, it no longer dazzles.

noun

1. an act or instance of dazzling:

   the dazzle of the spotlights.

2. something that dazzles.

dazzle

/ ˈdæzəl /

verb

1. usually tr to blind or be blinded partially and temporarily by sudden excessive light
2. to amaze, as with brilliance

   she was dazzled by his wit

   she dazzles in this film

noun

1. bright light that dazzles
2. bewilderment caused by glamour, brilliance, etc

   the dazzle of fame

Derived Forms

• ˈdazzler, noun

Other Words From

• dazzler noun
• dazzling·ly adverb
• outdazzle verb (used with object) outdazzled outdazzling
• over·dazzle verb overdazzled overdazzling
• un·dazzled adjective
• un·dazzling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dazzle¹

First recorded in 1475–85; daze + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of dazzle¹

C15: from daze

Example Sentences

As you put it, “Kate’s charm is less about dazzle and more about sheen.”

From Time

The show’s musical elements, including several full-song performances in each hour, dazzle.

From Time

Any stall of any possession seemed lethal given the opposition ready to take the football and dazzle.

From Washington Post

It was a dose of dazzle for a talented offense that has seemed staid in spots this season.

From Washington Post

But he did speak to the issue of the razzle-dazzle camera moves, at least indirectly.

From The Daily Beast

That kind of behavior would be in keeping with somebody who had been slipped a date rape drug such as Midazolam, aka Dazzle.

From The Daily Beast

Movies are meant to dazzle, and American Hustle does just that.

From The Daily Beast

There was a kinetic energy, a vibrancy that leapt off the screen that did, indeed, dazzle.

From The Daily Beast

But it was too late, as critics and audiences had already written it off once the show failed to dazzle them from the outset.

From The Daily Beast

He supposed they had scoured all Jursa for a real beauty to dazzle him; but they would discover that it would not work.

From Project Gutenberg

But to do this I must dazzle him into giving me a great pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

There lay his wife in all the finery she had arrayed herself to dazzle her fashionable acquaintances, a speechless corpse!

From Project Gutenberg

It did not dazzle me, however; it simply filled me, and gave me a sensation of peculiar buoyancy.

From Project Gutenberg

His prey would be driven out of its hiding-place by smoke, or the torch would dazzle it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• astonish
• awe
• blind
• blur
• daze
• excite
• fascinate
• hypnotize
• impress
• overwhelm
• surprise