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stupefaction
noun
stu·pe·fac·tion
ˌstü-pə-ˈfak-shən
ˌstyü-
: the act of stupefying : the state of being stupefied
Synonyms
Examples of stupefaction in a Sentence
upon hearing the unexpected news, she just sat there in total stupefaction
Recent Examples on the Web
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
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Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—
Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Glimpses of both are embedded inside her bracing work, along with a healthy dose of stupefaction and bewilderment.
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Christopher Knightart Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
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Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
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Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2021
The tourists, speaking in bad French, shake their heads in stupefaction.
—
New York Times, 7 Feb. 2021
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English stupefaccioun, from Medieval Latin stupefaction-, stupefactio, from Latin stupefacere
First Known Use
1603, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near stupefaction
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stupefaction. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Medical Definition
stupefaction
noun
stu·pe·fac·tion
ˌst(y)ü-pə-ˈfak-shən
: the act of stupefying or the state of being stupefied
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