verb
stupefy
STOO-pih-fy/ˈstuːpɪfaɪ/
To overwhelm people so they cannot think clearly.
The sight of his crushed car stupefies the man holding the keys.
Etymology
The Latin pieces mean “make stunned or senseless.” English first used the word medically for numbing or deadening, then more broadly for blunting people's faculties or stunning them with amazement or fear.
In context
Her words appeared to almost stupefy Leonard. This view of the matter had not occurred to him
More examples
- The barrage of questions stupefies me, and my mind goes blank.
- She is too stupefied by the announcement to speak.
- So many conflicting instructions can stupefy even an experienced worker.
Forms
stupefy · stupefies · stupefied · stupefying
stupefaction noun — A state of stunned mental confusion.
Similar words
- stun
- Emphasizes sudden shock that temporarily prevents thought or action.
- bewilder
- Emphasizes confusion rather than an inability to think clearly.