dumbfound

verb

dumb·​found ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd How to pronounce dumbfound (audio)
ˈdəm-ˌfaund
variants or less commonly dumfound
dumbfounded also dumfounded; dumbfounding also dumfounding; dumbfounds also dumfounds

transitive verb

: to confound (see confound sense 1) briefly and usually with astonishment
were dumbfounded at what they saw
dumbfoundingly
ˌdəm-ˈfau̇n-diŋ-lē How to pronounce dumbfound (audio)
ˈdəm-ˌfau̇n-
adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for dumbfound

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally.

puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

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

Examples of dumbfound in a Sentence

the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Neighbors were disgusted and dumbfounded about the senseless slaughter of an animal that had never caused any trouble. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025 And while stumbling through the silly categories, the contestants are dumbfounded far too often during the episodes made available for review. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024 The revelation dumbfounded Clark. Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024 Siri’s Guide for Newbie Farmers To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This implausible performance dumbfounded many Americans, like Carol Foyler, who resides in Akron, Ohio. Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, 27 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for dumbfound

Word History

Etymology

dumb + -found (as in confound)

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dumbfound was in 1653

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dumbfound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumbfound. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

dumbfound

verb
dumb·​found
variants also dumfound
: to cause to become speechless with astonishment : amaze
dumbfoundingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on dumbfound

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