dumbfound

Dumbfound is a verb meaning to cause someone to be speechless with astonishment, disbelief, or perplexity. It conveys a strong impact, more forceful than simply surprising someone. The related adjective dumbfounded describes the state of being rendered speechless by such surprise.

Originating in English in the 16th century, dumbfound derives from dumb, meaning unable to speak, and found, in the sense of to strike or render. It developed from the older expression to strike (someone) dumb and has historically implied a moment of overwhelming astonishment that interrupts normal speech.

Usage of dumbfound is somewhat formal or literary and is more common in written English than in everyday speech; many speakers prefer astonish or stun. It is typically transitive: “The announcement dumbfounded the crowd.” In the past participle, “dumbfounded” describes the person who experiences the astonishment: “She was dumbfounded by the verdict.” “The magician’s reveal dumbfounded the audience.”

Synonyms include astonish, stupefy, and bewilder, while “dumbfounded” can be used to describe the resulting speechlessness. Related terms include astonishment, stun, and perplex.