stupefaction

1 9.5

A state of being so shocked that you cannot think or react

noun
/ˌstjuːpəˈfækʃən/

: estupefacción

To his own stupefaction and even mild discomfort, Anthony found that he couldn't miss.
look of stupefaction

Examples

I'd be at home, staring at a blank piece of paper, my mouth open in stupefaction.

The Wife (2018)
Yossi turned on her in ludicrous stupefaction, pushing his glasses up on his nose.

Fiction book (1993)
Summer stared down at the gas gauge in stupefaction as the Chevy's speed slowed to a crawl.

Fiction book (1995)
Zev Barak came into the bedroom and halted in stupefaction.

Fiction book (1993)
Before she could shake herself out of her stupefaction, a man-shaped shadow solidified out of the murk and blocked her path to the steps.

Fiction book (1990)
I glanced at the Pasha, and he looked at me with eyes eloquent with astonishment and stupefaction.

Fiction book (2001)
After hearing the surprising news, I stood in complete stupefaction, unable to respond.
Her stupefaction was evident as she processed the unexpected announcement made during the meeting.
The crowd was filled with stupefaction as the magician revealed the secret behind his greatest trick.

Synonyms

surprise

vsstupefaction

∞ 1.0

A sudden feeling of wonder when something is unexpected

is a deeper stunned state that stops normal thinking and response

shock

vsstupefaction

567 2.3

A sudden strong feeling of surprise and distress after an unexpected event

is a stunned state that blocks thinking and normal reactions

amazement

vsstupefaction

56 1.2

A very strong feeling of surprise and wonder

is a stunned reaction that goes beyond wonder to paralyze thought

astonishment

vsstupefaction

33 3.4

A very strong feeling of surprise and wonder

is a more extreme stunned state that disables thinking and reacting

state of shock

vsstupefaction

17 3.9

A very stunned and numb feeling after a sudden bad event

is a stunned state that prevents clear thought or response

bewilderment

vsstupefaction

12 4.8

A feeling of being very confused and not knowing what to do

is a shocked state that also prevents clear thinking and action

puzzlement

vsstupefaction

9 5.5

A feeling of not understanding something that is hard to explain

is a stronger stunned reaction that impairs thought and response

bemusement

vsstupefaction

4 7.4

A feeling of confusion when something is hard to understand

is a deeper stunned condition preventing normal thought or action

speechlessness

vsstupefaction

1 5.5

Not able to speak because you feel very shocked or upset

is a stunned state causing inability to think or react

discombobulation

vsstupefaction

Informal

1 9.8

A feeling of confusion and embarrassment that makes it hard to think

is shock that also knocks out ability to think or react

state of disbelief

vsstupefaction

1 4.9

Not able to believe something because it is shocking

is a stunned state that overwhelms thought and stops normal reaction

Antonyms

clarity

152 3.0

How easy it is to understand what someone says or writes

composure

38 5.1

Calm control of your feelings and actions in a difficult situation

How Shocked

stupor

Specialized

17 7.7

stupefaction

1 9.5

astonishment

33 3.4

amazement

56 1.2

surprise

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

stupefaction singular

stupefactions plural

Morphology

stupefaction = stupefy (opaque) = stupefy + tion

The noun is historically related to 'stupefy', but the Latinate spelling and noun formation make the connection hard for an average learner to infer.

Etymology

Stupefaction comes from the Latin root stup- meaning 'be stunned' or 'be numb', and it is the same root as stupor and stupid. So stupefaction is the feeling of being so shocked or astonished that you cannot think or react properly.