to strike dumb

Examples

• All

• For a moment, Joe is struck dumb.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The ladies were struck dumb by the sheer audacity of it.

  It Runs in the Family (1994)

• But when he appeared the next day at her door, she was suddenly struck dumb.

  Fiction book (1999)

• But he appeared to be struck dumb by her story.

  Fiction book (1998)

• And now he was struck dumb.

  Fiction book (1999)

• But she was struck dumb.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Suddenly, the boy was struck dumb; he trembled and began to run on his hands and feet.

  Academic text (1998)

• Robin stares, struck dumb with horror.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Safira was gasping with ecstasy, while Marc was struck dumb with awe.

  Fiction book (2000)

• The news of her sudden promotion left everyone struck dumb with disbelief.

Synonyms

H

to hit

vsto strike dumb

∞ 2.8

To suddenly make someone feel a strong emotion

causes loss of speech specifically rather than a general strong emotional effect

S

to shock

vsto strike dumb

202 2.1

To cause someone to feel sudden surprise and distress

means making someone unable to speak specifically rather than causing general surprise

S

to stun

vsto strike dumb

11 3.0

To surprise someone so much they cannot react for a short time

renders someone unable to speak rather than only unable to react

S

to stupefy

vsto strike dumb

9 7.9

To make someone unable to think or react after a very strong shock

causes inability to speak specifically rather than general mental dullness or shock

K

to knock flat

vsto strike dumb

1 7.4

To surprise someone very much so they cannot react

produces loss of speech specifically rather than just leaving someone unable to react

K

to knock over with a feather

vsto strike dumb

• Informal

1 8.8

To be so surprised that you almost cannot react

brings about inability to speak rather than only an almost stunned surprise

H

to hit like a ton of bricks

vsto strike dumb

• Informal

1 8.0

To feel a sudden strong shock or surprise

means causing loss of speech specifically instead of mainly causing shock or realization

H

to hit like a lightning bolt

vsto strike dumb

8.2

To feel sudden shock or surprise

focuses on making someone unable to speak rather than only producing shock

Antonyms

E

to encourage

∞ 2.3

Give someone support and confidence so they try or keep doing something

E

to empower

157 4.2

Give someone the power and confidence to do something

How Speechless

to strike dumb

2 7.2

to amaze

294 1.0

to astonish

13 3.5

to surprise

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology