Thesaurus results for DUMFOUND

Q: How does the verb 'dumbfound' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dumbfound are bewilder , confound , distract , nonplus , perplex , and puzzle . While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound . // was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Q: In what contexts can 'bewilder' take the place of 'dumbfound'?

In some situations, the words bewilder and dumbfound are roughly equivalent. However, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. // a bewildering number of possibilities

Q: When is it sensible to use 'confound' instead of 'dumbfound'?

While the synonyms confound and dumbfound are close in meaning, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. // the tragic news confounded us all

Q: When would 'distract' be a good substitute for 'dumbfound'?

The meanings of distract and dumbfound largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. // distracted by personal problems

Q: When could 'nonplus' be used to replace 'dumbfound'?

The words nonplus and dumbfound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. // the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Q: Where would 'perplex' be a reasonable alternative to 'dumbfound'?

Although the words perplex and dumbfound have much in common, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. // a behavior that perplexed her friends

Q: When might 'puzzle' be a better fit than 'dumbfound'?

The synonyms puzzle and dumbfound are sometimes interchangeable, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. // the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

dumbfound

verb

ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd

variants also dumfound

Definition of dumbfound next

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dumbfound differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dumbfound are bewilder, confound, distract, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

In what contexts can bewilder take the place of dumbfound?

In some situations, the words bewilder and dumbfound are roughly equivalent. However, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When is it sensible to use confound instead of dumbfound?

While the synonyms confound and dumbfound are close in meaning, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When would distract be a good substitute for dumbfound?

The meanings of distract and dumbfound largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When could nonplus be used to replace dumbfound?

The words nonplus and dumbfound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Where would perplex be a reasonable alternative to dumbfound?

Although the words perplex and dumbfound have much in common, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

When might puzzle be a better fit than dumbfound?

The synonyms puzzle and dumbfound are sometimes interchangeable, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dumbfound Photographs of Nahapetian at the film’s premiere dumbfounded a fair number of social media users, who had also mistaken the actor for a de-aged Phoenix after watching the trailer. —

J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 Apr. 2023 Witnesses told The Times that spectators were dumbfounded. —

Rachel Uranga, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Apr. 2023 The TikTok hack that currently has people dumbfounded involves one of the most basic and useful kitchen tools—the potato peeler. —

Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2023 One Silicon Valley Bank employee, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, was dumbfounded by how Becker publicly acknowledged the extent of the bank’s financial troubles before privately lining up the necessary financial support to ride out the storm. —

Mark Thompson, CNN, 14 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for dumbfound

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfound

Verb

The final scene of the final episode of Cobra Kai is a pitch-perfect callback to a scene in the original 1984 Karate Kid movie where Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) surprises Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) by catching a fly with his chopsticks.

— Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
In the end, Torres’ exhaustive devotion to detail proved effective in ways that surprised even her.

— Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025