dumfounding
Definition
- Adjective:
- Causing overwhelming astonishment or disbelief: Describes something so surprising, shocking, or incredible that it leaves a person momentarily speechless or unable to think clearly due to wonder or confusion.
Usage
- The adjective dumfounding is used to describe an event, fact, piece of news, or situation that is profoundly shocking or amazing. It emphasizes the effect of stupefaction on the observer.
- It typically precedes a noun it modifies (e.g., a dumfounding discovery) or follows a linking verb like "be" or "find" (e.g., The result was dumfounding).
Examples
- The magician saved his most dumfounding trick for the finale of the show.
- Scientists made the dumfounding announcement that they had found evidence of liquid water on Mars.
- I found his complete lack of remorse absolutely dumfounding.
Advanced Usage
- "to be dumfounded by something": While "dumfounding" is the adjective describing the cause, "dumfounded" is the adjective or past participle describing the state of the person affected.
- The jury was dumfounded by the defendant's sudden confession. (Here, "dumfounded" describes the jury's state.)
- Used to convey a sense of something that defies easy explanation or belief.
Variants and Related Words
- Dumfound (verb): To astonish and bewilder. (Less common variant of "dumbfound").
- The news dumfounded the entire community.
- Dumbfounding (adjective): The more common modern spelling of "dumfounding," with identical meaning.
- Dumbfound (verb): The standard verb form meaning to astonish greatly.
- Dumbfounded (adjective): Greatly astonished.
- Dumbfoundment (noun): A state of astonishment.
Synonyms
- Astonishing: Extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.
- Bewildering: Confusing or perplexing.
- Stunning: So impressive or surprising as to cause temporary astonishment.
- Flabbergasting: (Informal) Extremely surprised or shocked.
Antonyms
- Expected: Regarded as likely to happen.
- Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
- Unsurprising: Not causing surprise.
Adjective
-
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
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