stupore

Stupore is the Italian noun for a strong feeling of astonishment or wonder in response to something surprising or extraordinary. It carries a sense of awe and can include disbelief as well as admiration. In everyday language it is often used to indicate that something left a person deeply impressed or speechless, more intense than a simple surprise.

The nuance of stupore sits between sorpresa and meraviglia: it signals not just an emotional reaction but a heightened degree of astonishment that may be hard to articulate. It is frequently used in narrative writing, journalism, and religious or philosophical contexts to convey a powerful, almost reverent reaction to a phenomenon, event, or idea. Phrases such as “con stupore” or “lo guardò con stupore” highlight the emotional impact of what is being described.

Etymology and grammar: stupore derives from Latin stupor, related to the verb stupire, meaning to astonish. It is a masculine noun, used in the singular as lo stupore and in the plural as gli stupori. The term has a stable, formal connotation and is common in literary and formal speech.

Distinction from English: the English word stupor denotes a medical state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility, whereas Italian stupore refers to an emotion of astonishment. The two terms are cognates in form but differ in meaning, so care is needed to avoid ambiguity in bilingual contexts.