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, stupid, stupidity, stupor, sturbridge

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-/, 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 Forms

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