stupefy

IPA/ˈstjuːpɪfaɪ/
IPA/ˈstuːpɪfaɪ/

stupefy — verb

  • stupefypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • stupefieshe / she / it
  • stupefiedpast simple
  • stupefying-ing form

1. to leave someone mentally foggy and slow to react, often because of exhaustion,

1.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to leave someone mentally foggy and slow to react, often because of exhaustion, medicine, or a heavy blow.

Example

Two sleepless nights stupefied Amira during the morning safety meeting.

stupefy someone through exhaustion

Cyrus was stupefied by the painkillers and missed his train stop.

be stupefied by medicine

Common collocations
  • stupefy someone with drugs
  • be stupefied by exhaustion
  • leave someone stupefied
Synonyms
  • daze

    more everyday and often used for short confusion after a blow

  • stun

    usually stronger and can suggest near-helplessness

  • numb

    often focuses on reducing feeling rather than making thought slow

Antonyms
  • alert

    describes being fully awake and ready to react

Grammar Patterns

stupefy someone

be stupefied by something

stupefy someone with drugs

Usage Note

The object is the affected person. Use this sense for mental dullness caused by tiredness, medicine, or impact, not for emotional surprise by itself.

Common Mistakes

The pills stupefied to me.
The pills stupefied me.
'stupefy' takes a direct object, not 'to'.

2. to hit someone with such strong surprise that they cannot think or respond for a

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to hit someone with such strong surprise that they cannot think or respond for a moment.

Example

The judge's sudden apology stupefied Gabriel and silenced the courtroom.

news or action leaves people stunned

Kenji was stupefied that the tiny shop had won national fame.

passive pattern with that-clause

Common collocations
  • stupefy someone with the news
  • be stupefied by the result
  • leave someone stupefied with surprise
Synonyms
  • astonish

    slightly more formal and often less focused on mental numbness

  • amaze

    often carries admiration or wonder as well as surprise

  • dumbfound

    stresses being so surprised that you cannot speak

Antonyms
  • prepare

    if you prepare someone, the result is no longer shocking

Grammar Patterns

stupefy someone

be stupefied by something

be stupefied that-clause

Usage Note

This sense usually takes shocking news, actions, or discoveries as the subject. Unlike sense 1, it centres on extreme surprise rather than tiredness, medicine, or physical impact.

Common Mistakes

I was stupefied for the answer.
I was stupefied by the answer.
Use 'by' to name what caused the shock.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

'Stupefy', 'astonish', 'amaze', and 'dumbfound' all describe strong surprise, but they do not feel the same. 'Stupefy' suggests a heavy shock that briefly dulls a person's ability to think or react. 'Astonish' is formal and points more to the size of the surprise than to mental numbness. 'Amaze' often adds wonder or admiration, so it can sound positive. 'Dumbfound' stresses being so surprised that you cannot speak. If a repair bill or a sudden confession leaves someone staring in silence, 'stupefy' fits well. If the surprise is delightful, 'amaze' is usually better, and if the focus is speechlessness, 'dumbfound' is often the sharper choice.

stupefy ↗astonish ↗amaze ↗dumbfound ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • stupefy someone
  • be stupefied by something

Prepositions

Etymology

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1