dumbfound — to shock or surprise someone so much that they cannot speak or react
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to shock or surprise someone so much that they cannot speak or react
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdʌmfaʊnd/
Example Sentences
- The student's perfect score on the impossible test dumbfounded the professor.
- I was dumbfounded when my cat started doing the dishes.
- The news of winning the lottery completely dumbfounded her.
dumbfound
VERB[/ˈdʌmfaʊnd/]
to shock or surprise someone so much that they cannot speak or react
The magician's final trick dumbfounded the entire audience into stunned silence.
Profound secrets from underground left her dumbfound!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Dumbfound emerged in the 17th century as a compound of 'dumb' (unable to speak) and 'found' (an archaic form of 'confound'). The word literally means 'to render speechless,' combining the sense of being unable to speak with the idea of confusing or bewildering someone.
Breakdown
dumb- (unable to speak) + -found (confound, to confuse or bewilder). The second element derives from the older form of 'confound,' creating a compound that conveys the image of being so astonished or confused that one is left speechless.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The student's perfect score on the impossible test dumbfounded the professor.”
“I was dumbfounded when my cat started doing the dishes.”
“The news of winning the lottery completely dumbfounded her.”
“His explanation was so ridiculous that it dumbfounded everyone in the meeting.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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