at a loss for words
Unable to respond
At a loss for words describes being unable to speak, usually because of strong emotion or surprise.
Someone at a loss for words may be stunned by unexpected news, overwhelmed by gratitude, or simply caught off guard: When she saw the surprise party, she was completely at a loss for words.
The phrase often implies the situation has rendered normal responses inadequate.
- tongue-tiedUnable to express oneself
- mental blockInability to retrieve thoughts
- speechlessUnable to talk
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- aweReverent fear and wonder
gobsmacked · brain fog · lost in thought · at a standstill · disbelief · confusion · amazement · dumbfounded · struck dumb · embarrassment · flabbergasted · deer in headlights · taken aback · caught off guard · stammering · grief · draw a blank · agape
at a loss for wordseloquent
Fluent and persuasive
articulate · verbose · well-spoken · loquacious · silver-tongued
at a loss for wordscomposed
Calm and self-possessed
unflappable · quick-witted · unfazed · quick on one's feet · cool as a cucumber
loss, words, loser, losers, losses, word, worded, wording, wordy