stupor

[stoo-per, styoo-]

noun

1. suspension or great diminution of sensibility, as in disease or as caused by narcotics, intoxicants, etc..

   He lay there in a drunken stupor.

2. mental torpor; apathy; stupefaction.

   Synonyms: daze, lethargy, inertia

stupor

/ ˈstjuːpə /

noun

1. a state of unconsciousness

2. mental dullness; torpor

Other Word Forms

• stuporous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stupor¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “astonishment, insensibility,” equivalent to stup(ēre) “to be numb, to be stunned” + -or -or ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stupor¹

C17: from Latin, from stupēre to be aghast

Example Sentences

A more severe and concerning case can cause neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, or paralysis.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But a recent FAA-funded study found two chemicals that can: formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin, and tridecane, which can cause headaches and stupor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ronan, better known as a painter in New York’s contemporary art world, chronicles a collection of still lives who jostle themselves out of an emotional stupor.

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Since then residents have been in some kind of stupor, dazed, angry and tired.

Read more on BBC

Osbourne later said that his unshakable stupor was due to his use of Valium and a host of other powerful narcotics prescribed by a Beverly Hills physician under investigation for overprescribing drugs to celebrity patients.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coma 
• slumber 
• trance