Dumbfounding — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd/ dumb·found

Meaning & Definition of Dumbfounding

Dumbfounding (verb)

  1. to confound briefly and usually with astonishment

Dumbfounding (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness

    "the dumbfounding sight of the race car driver walking away from that horrific crash"

    similar: amazing, astonishing, astounding, blindsiding, eye-opening, flabbergasting, jarring, jaw-dropping, jolting, shocking, startling, stunning, stupefying, surprising
    related: unannounced, unanticipated, unexpected, unforeseen, awesome, awful, breathtaking, fabulous, heart-stopping, marvelous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stupendous, sublime, wonderful, wondrous, extraordinary, phenomenal, rare, sensational, spectacular, befuddling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, discomfiting, disconcerting, dismaying, flustering, muddling, nonplussing, perplexing, upsetting, incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unlikely, unthinkable, singular, uncommon, unique, unusual, unwonted, conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, remarkable, impressive, striking
    opposite: unsurprising
    near: common, customary, mundane, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual

Dumbfounding (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

    "the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader"

    similar: amazing, astonishing, astounding, bowling over, flabbergasting, flooring, rocking, shocking, startling, stunning, stupefying, surprising, thunderstriking, knocking for a loop, taking aback, taking by surprise
    related: befuddling, bewildering, blindsiding, blowing away, confounding, confusing, dazing, discomfiting, disconcerting, dismaying, jarring, muddling, nonplussing, perplexing, shaking up

Related Entry: Dumbfound (verb)

Dumbfound is a different word from Dumbfounding. The synonyms below are for dumbfound, not for dumbfounding.

  1. to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

    "the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader"

    similar: amaze, astonish, astound, bowl over, flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, surprise, thunderstrike, knock for a loop, take aback, take by surprise
    related: befuddle, bewilder, blindside, blow away, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dumbfounding

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dumbfounding:

amazing, astonishing, astounding, blindsiding, eye-opening, flabbergasting, jarring, jaw-dropping, jolting, shocking, startling, stunning, stupefying, surprising, bowling over, flooring, rocking, thunderstriking, knocking for a loop, taking aback, taking by surprise

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dumbfounding

Words with the opposite meaning of Dumbfounding:

unsurprising

Related Words for Dumbfounding

unannounced, unanticipated, unexpected, unforeseen, awesome, awful, breathtaking, fabulous, heart-stopping, marvelous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stupendous, sublime, wonderful, wondrous, extraordinary, phenomenal, rare, sensational, spectacular, befuddling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, discomfiting, disconcerting, dismaying

Near Antonyms of Dumbfounding

common, customary, mundane, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual

Word Forms of Dumbfounding

Inflections: dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumfounding, dumbfounds, dumfounds

Derived words: dumbfoundingly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Dumbfounding

dumb + -found (as in confound)

First known use: 1653

Frequently Asked Questions about Dumbfounding

What does "Dumbfounding" mean?

"Dumbfounding" means to confound briefly and usually with astonishment. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to confound briefly and usually with astonishment. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dumbfounding"?

Other words for "Dumbfounding" include amazing, astonishing, astounding, blindsiding, eye-opening, flabbergasting, jarring and jaw-dropping. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dumbfounding" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dumbfounding"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dumbfounding". Common alternatives include amazing, astonishing, astounding, blindsiding, eye-opening, flabbergasting, jarring, jaw-dropping, jolting and shocking.

What is the opposite of "Dumbfounding"?

Antonyms of "Dumbfounding" include unsurprising. Near antonyms include common, customary, mundane and normal.

How do you use "Dumbfounding" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dumbfounding" in a sentence: "the dumbfounding sight of the race car driver walking away from that horrific crash"; "the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader".

Is "Dumbfounding" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dumbfounding" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dumbfounding"?

"Dumbfounding" is pronounced /ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd/ and divided into syllables as dumb·found.

What is the origin of the word "Dumbfounding"?

"Dumbfounding" comes from dumb + -found (as in confound). First known use: 1653.