dumbfound

Also dumb·found·er,
Or dum·found

[duhm-found, duhm-found]

verb (used with object)

1. to make speechless with amazement; astonish.

   Synonyms: stagger, astound, confound, amaze

dumbfound

/ dʌmˈfaʊnd /

verb

1. (tr) to strike dumb with astonishment; amaze

Other Word Forms

• dumbfounderment noun
• dumfounderment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbfound¹

First recorded in 1645–55; dumb + (con)found

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbfound¹

C17: from _dumb + ( _con ) _found

Example Sentences

The wife of a dementia patient has said she was "dumbfounded" after only being offered "a wad of leaflets" after his diagnosis.

From BBC

“The fact that these dumbfounding transfers in the middle of the night cause chaos, confusion, and minimizes access to legal representation does not seem to bother them one bit,” he said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

He said Mr Crocker was "dumbfounded", adding: "He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe it was so quick, either."

From BBC

Heling, a 68-year-old resident of Raleigh, told Salon that having the validity of her voter registration called into question for a second time in the span of a year has left her dumbfounded.

From Salon

They asked me and they were dumbfounded, which was hilarious to me.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amaze 
• astonish 
• bewilder 
• boggle 
• confound 
• flabbergast 
• nonplus 
• puzzle 
• startle 
• stun