stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈstü-pər 

ˈstyü-

1

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility

a drunken stupor

specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness

2

: a state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting often from stress or shock : daze

Synonyms

• hebetude
• languor
• lassitude
• lethargy
• listlessness
• torpor

Choose the Right Synonym for stupor

lethargy, languor, lassitude, stupor, torpor mean physical or mental inertness.

lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

Examples of stupor in a Sentence

He fell into a drunken stupor.

in a stupor of fatigue

Recent Examples on the Web

Neither team fully snapped out of this shooting stupor, finishing a combined 7-for-37 in the fourth quarter. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024

The media narrative has long painted Noel as the pragmatic, occasionally sober musician, dutifully writing the songs and leading the band while Liam peacocked in a drunken stupor as the stereotypical rock star. —Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024

Eventually, Agatha is freed from the spell after visits from another witch, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), and a kid only known as Teen (Joe Locke) manage to shake Agatha out of her crime-show stupor. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024

Right down to harms that are felt first and worst by people of color, and political systems that badly need to be shaken from their stupor. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from stupēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər 

1

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or feeling

drifted into a pleasant, dreamy stupor

2

: a state of dullness or lack of interest resulting often from stress or shock

Medical Definition

stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər 

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility

a drunken stupor

specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness