stupefying 1 of 2

adjective

as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness the stupefying figures for poverty and starvation in some parts of the reputedly rich country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stupefying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stupefy
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected stupefied by the ruling that he could not compete because he missed the qualifying age by two days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stupefying
Verb
Starting with a tone-setting marvel early, Room contorted and unfurled himself to 15 saves — including several other stupefying ones. — Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026 How will his writing team metabolize the stupefying scene at this year’s BAFTAs into his routine? — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026 The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026 Dark times shade even darker, and yet through it all, in ways both uplifting and stupefying, life goes on. — Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025 The popularity Nirvana gained at stupefying speed and unmanageable proportions in 1991 is impossible to replicate in the culture and music industry of 2025. — Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025 As attractive as the idea has been, various analog AI schemes have not delivered in a way that could really take a bite out of AI’s stupefying energy appetite. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025 It’s been 25 years since Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak, with a stupefying seven-person parade a day before the 2001 Baselworld fair. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefying
  1. surprising
  2. amazing
  3. startling
  4. stunning
  5. shocking
  6. astonishing
Adjective
  • For something with only 256 pixels to play with, people have found a surprising number of things to put on them.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • The Warren Court’s relative respect for federal laws was thus noticeable but not startling.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Most notable were the startling bear signs, alerting us to the presence of Asian black bears in the area.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of startling
Verb
  • Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of stunning
Adjective
  • In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking
Verb
  • Booming demand Anthropic’s growth has been astonishing even by Silicon Valley standards.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of astonishing

Browse Nearby Words

stupefy
stupefying
stupendous
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Cite this Entry

“Stupefying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefying. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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