dumfounded

Shocked beyond words

Dumfounded means shocked into speechlessness, unable to respond because of surprise or disbelief: I was dumfounded when she announced her resignation.

The word suggests being mentally stunned—struck dumb.

Also spelled dumbfounded, which is now more common.

astonished

amazed

Overwhelmed by sudden wonder

astoundedOverwhelmed by surprise
flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
stupefiedOverwhelmed into mental blankness

awestruck · thunderstruck · gobsmacked · staggered · bowled over · floored · blown away · shell-shocked · slack-jawed · wide-eyed

bewildered

confused

Unable to understand

perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
baffledUtterly unable to understand
puzzledConfused by something unclear

mystified · nonplussed · flummoxed · befuddled · discombobulated · stumped · at a loss · thrown · disoriented · muddled

speechless

mute

Without voice or sound

silentProducing no sound
wordlessLacking spoken content
tongue-tiedUnable to express oneself

lost for words · jaw dropped · gaping · voiceless · inarticulate · open-mouthed

Opposites

expectation and surprise

dumfoundedunsurprised

Not caught off guard

expectant · prepared · unastonished · anticipating · forewarned

verbal/cognitive composure

dumfoundedarticulate

Express clearly, or well-spoken

composed · unflustered · collected · eloquent · unruffled

mental clarity/composure

dumfoundedunperturbed

Not bothered or worried

composed · unfazed · unruffled · collected · calm

Family

dumfound, dumfounds, dumfounding

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G