Dictionary
dumbfound
verb dumb·found \ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd, ˈdəm-ˌ\
Definition of DUMBFOUND
transitive verb
: to confound briefly and usually with astonishment
— dumb·found·ing·ly \ˌdəm-ˈfau̇n-diŋ-lē, ˈdəm-ˌfau̇n-\ adverb
See dumbfound defined for kids
Variants of DUMBFOUND
dumb·found also dum·found \ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd, ˈdəm-ˌ\
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Origin of DUMBFOUND
dumb + -found (as in confound)
First Known Use: 1653
Related to DUMBFOUND
Synonym Discussion of DUMBFOUND
puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve <the persistent fever puzzled the doctor>. perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision <a behavior that perplexed her friends>. bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking <a bewildering number of possibilities>. distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests <distracted by personal problems>. nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible <the remark left us utterly nonplussed>. confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement <the tragic news confounded us all>. dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound <was at first too dumbfounded to reply>.
Rhymes with DUMBFOUND
abound, aground, around, astound, background, bloodhound, boozehound, brassbound, break ground, campground, chowhound, clothbound, come round, compound, confound, coonhound, deerhound, deskbound, earthbound, eastbound, elkhound, expound, fairground, fogbound, foot-pound, foreground, foxhound, gain ground, go-round, greyhound, half-bound, hardbound, hellhound, hidebound, high ground, homebound, horehound, housebound, icebound, impound, inbound, ironbound, lose ground, newfound, newshound, northbound, outbound, playground, pot-bound, profound, propound, rebound, redound, renowned, resound, rockbound, rock hound, scent hound, sight hound, sleuthhound, smooth hound, snowbound, softbound, southbound, spellbound, staghound, stone-ground, stormbound, strikebound, surround, to ground, top round, unbound, unround, unsound, well-found, westbound, wolfhound, year-round
DUMBFOUNDED Defined for Kids
dumbfound
verb dumb·found \ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd\
dumb·found·eddumb·found·ing
Definition of DUMBFOUND for Kids
: to make speechless with surprise
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