at a loss for words
idiom
chiefly US
: unable to think of anything to say
I was so surprised to see her that I was at a loss for words.
Examples of at a loss for words in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.
—
Lawrence Yee, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The earnestness of Rob Dillingham’s question was enough to put even one of the NBA’s most outgoing personalities at a loss for words.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
The driver paused, apparently at a loss for words, and meekly apologized.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
After a particularly stunning loss, Redick, for once, was almost at a loss for words.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for at a loss for words 
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Lawrence Yee, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The earnestness of Rob Dillingham’s question was enough to put even one of the NBA’s most outgoing personalities at a loss for words.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
The driver paused, apparently at a loss for words, and meekly apologized.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
After a particularly stunning loss, Redick, for once, was almost at a loss for words.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for at a loss for words
Dictionary Entries Near at a loss for words
Cite this Entry
“At a loss for words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20a%20loss%20for%20words. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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