dumbfounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dumbfounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being shocked or astonished, often to the point of being unable to respond. Example: "When she revealed the surprise party, I was completely dumbfounded and could hardly find the words to express my gratitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AOL has shown a capacity for re-inventing itself that has dumbfounded rivals and sceptics alike.

The Economist

He watched, dumbfounded, as the e-mail went out to a long list of US government recipients, none of which was in his address book.

The Economist

The difference in cultures left him dumbfounded: "Where I came from, you got a room in a motel, spent ten hours making a lavish and possibly irredeemable mess of it, and left early the next morning," he wrote.

The Economist

She has already seen her children, Rahul and Priyanka, become important politicians in their own rights.Mrs Gandhi has dumbfounded her critics so far, but has done so largely by achieving consensus against the odds.

The Economist

The group [of senior Tribune executives] sat dumbfounded....Less than a year after Mr. Zell bought the company, it tipped into bankruptcy, listing $7.6 billion in assets against a debt of $13 billion, making it the largest bankruptcy in the history of the American media industry.

The Economist

The hairy, heavily girthed specimens that patrolled the outfield in 1973 would have been dumbfounded by the fitness regimes and pop-star girlfriends of today's professional.

The Economist

The new financial supervisory commission, which has had responsibility for the funds since April 1st, appears dumbfounded.

The Economist

If 2013 was a year when the pace of the stockmarket rally caught investors by surprise, 2014 was a year in which bond-market bears were dumbfounded.

The Economist

Chief executives rarely admit to being dumbfounded by their companies' performance, but Mr Cook said it was "hard to comprehend" the extent of the interest in Apple's products.

The Economist

Tom Bell, Y&R's chief executive, who says he offered to exchange those parachutes for new employment contracts, was in turn dumbfounded when Sir Martin inserted going back on a written agreement, says Y&R an unusually stringent non-competing agreement into these contracts.

The Economist

The boat people there who succeed in claiming refugee status are supposed to be resettled in PNG).The government's choice of Cambodia for any new deal leaves many people dumbfounded.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dumbfounded" to express a state of shock that renders someone temporarily speechless. It's suitable for describing reactions to surprising or unexpected events.

Common error

Avoid using "dumbfounded" to describe mere surprise or mild confusion. Reserve it for situations where the shock is significant and causes a noticeable inability to respond.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dumbfounded" is that of an adjective, describing a state of being shocked or astonished to the point of being temporarily speechless. Ludwig AI indicates this is a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dumbfounded" is used to describe a state of being shocked and speechless, as supported by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as an adjective and is commonly found in News & Media sources, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. The phrase is considered grammatically correct and enjoys very common usage. Alternatives include "astonished", "flabbergasted", and "stupefied", but it’s important to reserve it for situations of genuine shock rather than mild surprise. Understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register can help writers use "dumbfounded" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonished

Indicates a strong feeling of surprise and wonder, closely mirroring the impact of "dumbfounded".

astounded

Indicates a great surprise and wonder, similar to "astonished" and nearly interchangeable with "dumbfounded".

flabbergasted

Suggests a higher degree of shock and disbelief, implying a temporary inability to react.

stupefied

Emphasizes a state of mental numbness or disorientation due to shock, similar to being "dumbfounded".

speechless with amazement

Highlights the inability to speak due to overwhelming surprise or admiration.

shocked into silence

Directly conveys the inability to speak due to being shocked, emphasizing the silencing effect.

taken aback

Implies a sudden surprise that causes one to recoil slightly, akin to being "dumbfounded".

completely bewildered

Focuses on the confusion and lack of understanding caused by surprise, rather than just the inability to speak.

awestruck

Suggests a feeling of reverence and wonder, often in response to something impressive or unexpected.

incredulous

Conveys disbelief and skepticism, often mixed with surprise, suggesting a questioning of what one has seen or heard.

FAQs

How can I use "dumbfounded" in a sentence?

"Dumbfounded" is typically used as an adjective to describe someone's reaction. For example, "I was "dumbfounded" by the unexpected news".

What's a good alternative to "dumbfounded"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "astonished", "flabbergasted", or "stupefied".

Which is correct: "I was dumbfounded" or "I am dumbfounded"?

Both are correct, but they convey slightly different tenses. "I was dumbfounded" refers to a past reaction, while "I am dumbfounded" describes a current state.

What's the difference between "dumbfounded" and "surprised"?

"Surprised" indicates a general feeling of unexpectedness. "Dumbfounded" implies a more profound shock that causes temporary speechlessness or inability to react. "Dumbfounded" is a stronger and more specific term.