stupefy [stoo -puh -fahy, styoo -]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for stupefy 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. Show More
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 forms stu·pe·fied·ness [stoo -puh -fahyd-nis, -fahy-id-, styoo -] /ˈstu pəˌfaɪd nɪs, -ˌfaɪ ɪd-, ˈstyu-/ noun stu·pe·fi·er , noun stu·pe·fy·ing·ly , adverb un·stu·pe·fied , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for stupefying perplex ,
astonish ,
bewilder ,
astound ,
nonplus ,
bemuse ,
flabbergast ,
daze ,
deaden ,
benumb ,
dull ,
numb ,
surprise ,
startle ,
shock ,
dazzle ,
rattle ,
blunt ,
confuse ,
confound Examples from the Web for stupefying Contemporary Examples of stupefying The blast was a stupefying white flash followed by a body-shaking howl, and it was the cue for a maelstrom of metallic shrieks.
Alig became hooked on heroin, ketamine, cocaine, and Rohypnol—a stupefying blend of substances for the once sober partier.
One can hypothesize that the bad decision came after the consumption of stupefying substances.
Historical Examples of stupefying The mourning is universal and genuine, the consternation is stupefying .
He was a brave man, but the cloud of doubt had been stupefying .
Winslow was the first to recover from the stupefying beauty of the spectacle.
The tragedy was stupefying —it was unthinkable—it was the mockery of Fate!
In January he would rescue his Leonardo from this stupefying twaddle.
British Dictionary definitions for stupefying verb -fies , -fying or -fied (tr) to render insensitive or lethargic to confuse or astound Show More
Derived Forms stupefier , noun stupefying , adjective stupefyingly , 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
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Word Origin and History for stupefying 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 ).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
