definitions

stupefy

[ stoo-puh-fahy, styoo- ]
/ ˈstu pəˌfaɪ, ˈstyu- /
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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.

RELATED WORDS

perplex, astonish, bewilder, astound, nonplus, bemuse, flabbergast, daze, deaden, benumb, dull, numb, surprise, startle, shock, dazzle, rattle, blunt, confuse, confound

Nearby words

stupa, stupe, stupefacient, stupefaction, stupefactive, stupefy, stupendous, stupendously, stupid, stupidity, stupidly

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
Related formsstu·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for stupefying

British Dictionary definitions for stupefying

stupefy

/ (ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ) /

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

to render insensitive or lethargic
to confuse or astound
Derived Formsstupefier, 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

Word Origin and History for stupefying

stupefy

v.

1510s (implied in past participle stupefact), from Middle French stupéfier, from Latin stupefacere "make stupid or senseless," from stupere "be stunned" (see stupid) + facere "to make" (see factitious).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper