Dumbfounded describes a state of being so shocked and bewildered that one is temporarily unable to speak or act. It's a reaction to something unexpected, surprising, or overwhelming, leaving the individual speechless and mentally paralyzed. The core of being dumbfounded is the loss of one's ability to process information and react rationally in the moment. The feeling often involves a combination of disbelief, astonishment, and confusion. It's more intense than simple surprise and can leave one feeling completely at a loss for words, as if struck by lightning.
Dumb-founded meaning with examples
- When Sarah won the lottery, she was utterly dumbfounded. The sheer magnitude of the prize and the sudden change in her circumstances rendered her speechless, her mind struggling to comprehend the reality of what had happened. She could only stare at the winning numbers in disbelief. The world seemed to stop for a moment, and she needed to ask someone else if it was real.
- The detective, after finding the murder suspect had an identical twin, was left dumbfounded. The revelation defied all the logical conclusions he'd previously made, and his mind struggled to accommodate this unexpected twist. His carefully constructed narrative of the case crumbled before his eyes. He found himself staring blankly at the evidence, replaying his interrogation, trying to make sense of the truth.
- Upon learning that the old mansion next door was being torn down to make way for a factory, the neighborhood was dumbfounded. The iconic landmark was a source of childhood memories and local pride, a piece of living history. This feeling of loss created an immediate sense of disbelief, anger, and a sense of outrage. A gathering of locals was in order.
- Witnessing the magician levitate a grand piano, the audience was rendered dumbfounded. The laws of physics seemed to be suspended, and the impossible act left them struggling to grasp what they had just seen. Their jaws dropped open, their eyes wide with disbelief and wonder. They wanted to know how it was possible, but their confusion was so great that it was hard to form the right questions.
- John, when he learned the professor had been a spy in the second world war, was completely dumbfounded. The distinguished academic image of the professor was at odds with the thrilling world of espionage. His understanding of his professor, his lessons, everything he knew, were shattered. He stood there, rooted in place, mouth agape, unable to utter a single word, or make any sense of it.