dumbfounded

American  

[duhm-foun-did, duhm-foun-] / dʌmˈfaʊn dɪd, ˈdʌmˌfaʊn- /

Or dumfounded

adjective

1. speechless with amazement; astonished or showing astonishment.

   I smiled at the dumbfounded look on their faces as their eyes widened and their mouths fell slack.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of dumbfound.

Etymology

Origin of dumbfounded

dumbfound ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When you're dumbfounded, you're amazed. Being dumbfounded is an extreme form of being surprised or caught off guard. Being dumbfounded is not something that happens every day: this is a word that means something similar to astonished and gobsmacked. Only things that are extraordinary can dumbfound you. This word plays on an older meaning of dumb that means unable to speak. When you're dumbfounded, you're so astounded and shocked that you can't even speak. Save this word for occasions that are truly unusual and amazing.

Example Sentences

Dumbfounded: Yes, breastfeeding has been “commonplace” ever since babies have been in need of nourishment.

From Washington Post • Sep. 27, 2022

Dumbfounded, he tapped www.google.com.ar into his search bar and pressed enter.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2021

Dumbfounded, I put the tie clasp in my pocket, took pen in hand, and resumed the interview.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2019

Dumbfounded by what he called "brazen tactics," O'Malley protested, but Avenatti drove him out of the practice, he said in court documents.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2018

Dumbfounded, panting, astonished by his own stupidity and rage, and spitting blood, Bernabe just sat there for a while.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols