speechless

[speech-lis]

adjective

1. temporarily deprived of speech by strong emotion, physical weakness, exhaustion, etc..

   speechless with alarm.

   Synonyms: mute
   Antonyms: talkative, voluble, loquacious

2. characterized by absence or loss of speech.

   speechless joy.

   Antonyms: talkative, voluble, loquacious

3. lacking the faculty of speech; dumb.

   Synonyms: mute, silent
   Antonyms: talkative, voluble, loquacious

4. not expressed in speech or words.

   speechless compliments.

5. refraining from speech.

speechless

/ ˈspiːtʃlɪs /

adjective

1. not able to speak

2. temporarily deprived of speech

3. not expressed or able to be expressed in words

   speechless fear

Other Word Forms

• speechlessness noun
• speechlessly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of speechless¹

before 1000; Middle English specheles, Old English spǣclēas. See speech, -less

Example Sentences

"It was terrifying. It was so horrific that we were speechless," the 52-year-old said.

Read more on Barron's

"I'm still speechless. It came really as a huge surprise," he continued.

Read more on Barron's

"I am absolutely speechless," said Mr Cross, 37, a newcomer to the competition, which sees players and champions return year after year.

Read more on BBC

The request left Brooke, one of the parents at the centre, speechless.

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“I was speechless, I didn’t know what to say,” the always loquacious Hudler said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amazed 
• dazed 
• dumb 
• silent