stupefy

[stoo-puh-fahy, styoo-]

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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for stupefying

Contemporary Examples

The blast was a stupefying white flash followed by a body-shaking howl, and it was the cue for a maelstrom of metallic shrieks.
Shocked by Ukraine Violence, NATO Prepares to Face Down Putin
Leo Cendrowicz
October 12, 2014
Alig became hooked on heroin, ketamine, cocaine, and Rohypnol—a stupefying blend of substances for the once sober partier.
The Party Monster Lives For the Applause: Michael Alig’s Second Act
Caitlin Dickson
February 28, 2014
One can hypothesize that the bad decision came after the consumption of stupefying substances.
New Hope for Amanda Knox
Barbie Latza Nadeau
March 4, 2010

Historical Examples

The mourning is universal and genuine, the consternation is stupefying.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete
Albert Bigelow Paine
He was a brave man, but the cloud of doubt had been stupefying.
The Traitors
E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
Winslow was the first to recover from the stupefying beauty of the spectacle.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, June, 1930
Various
The tragedy was stupefying—it was unthinkable—it was the mockery of Fate!
The Clansman
Thomas Dixon
In January he would rescue his Leonardo from this stupefying twaddle.
A Room With A View
E. M. Forster

British Dictionary definitions for stupefying

stupefy

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

to render insensitive or lethargic
to confuse or astound

Derived Formsstupefier, nounstupefying, adjectivestupefyingly, adverb

Word Origin

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).

stupefy

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for stupefying

Contemporary Examples

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

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.

stupefy

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for stupefying

stupefy

v.

Origin of stupefy