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

It was like a constant assault, an almost stupefying catalogue of mindless racial insult and injury.
How Martin Luther King Jr. Influenced Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’|Peter Guralnick|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Then, as the curses and ribaldry died away, he emerged slowly as from beneath a stupefying load.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
Throughout this stupefying recital none of the rest of us stirred, you will conceive.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
They brought up with a stupefying slam against the wall of the pig-pen, making the pig squeal apprehensively.
The Backwoodsmen|Charles G. D. Roberts
I should work much better if I had some proof-sheets coming in to assure me that my soul-stupefying labor is not in vain.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. I (of 3)|George Eliot
He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.
Return of the Native|Thomas Hardy

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