stupefy

[ stoo-puh-fahy, styoo- ]

/ ˈstu pəˌfaɪ, ˈstyu- /

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See synonyms for: stupefy / stupefied / stupefies / stupefying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), stu·pe·fied, stu·pe·fy·ing.

to put into a state of little or no sensibility; benumb the faculties of; put into a stupor.

to stun, as with a narcotic, a shock, or a strong emotion.

to overwhelm with amazement; astound; astonish.

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Origin of stupefy

1590–1600; <Middle French stupefier ≪ Latin stupefacere to benumb, equivalent to stupe-, stem of stupēre to be numb or stunned + facere to make, do¹; see -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM stupefy

stu·pe·fied·ness

[stoo-puh-fahyd-nis, -fahy-id-, styoo-], /ˈstu pəˌfaɪd nɪs, -ˌfaɪ ɪd-, ˈstyu-/, nounstu·pe·fi·er, nounstu·pe·fy·ing·ly, adverbun·stu·pe·fied, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stupefy in a sentence

No matter how often people claim otherwise, Americans are more stupefied by certain things than obsessed with them.
Michelle vs. the All-American Jackass|Stanley Crouch|March 25, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And she dragged a part of it across the floor, and threw it under the bed, Ramona standing by, stupefied.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
He mingled with the mob, leaving Philip stupefied for several seconds, unable to credit sight and hearing.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
The Dales and Ward, walking toward the end cabin when Dicks was killed, halted and stood as if stupefied.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter

Then the intelligence of the poor people, stupefied by cold and fright, seemed suddenly to awaken.
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence|Eugne Sue
The duke could not restrain a smile at the bewilderment of the Nabob, stupefied to find him so well informed.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet

British Dictionary definitions for stupefy

stupefy

/ (ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to render insensitive or lethargic

to confuse or astound

Derived forms of stupefy

stupefier, nounstupefying, adjectivestupefyingly, adverb

Word Origin for stupefy

C16: from Old French stupefier, from Latin stupefacere; see stupefacient

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

stupefy

Origin of stupefy

OTHER WORDS FROM stupefy

Words related to stupefy

How to use stupefy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stupefy

Derived forms of stupefy

Word Origin for stupefy