gobsmack
Leave completely speechless
To gobsmack is to astonish or astound someone completely—to leave them speechless with surprise.
The word comes from British slang combining gob (mouth) and smack, evoking the image of clapping a hand over one's mouth in shock.
Almost always appears as the adjective gobsmacked: I was absolutely gobsmacked when they announced my name.
Shock into speechlessness
- astoundShock with wonder
- staggerWalk unsteadily, sway
- stupefyOverwhelm with astonishment
- dumbfoundShock into silence
thunderstruck · stupefaction · awe · wonder · marvel · jaw-dropping · mind-blowing · breathtaking
Rendered speechless by surprise
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- tongue-tiedUnable to express oneself
- muteWithout voice or sound
- silencedRendered unable to speak
agape · slack-jawed · open-mouthed · gaping · inarticulate · thunderstruck · floored
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
unanticipated · blindsided · caught-off-guard · unlooked-for · jolt · shock · bombshell · curveball
flabbergast
Shock into speechlessness
dumbfound · thunderstruck · stupefaction · awe · wonder · marvel · jaw-dropping · mind-blowing · breathtaking · incredulity
dumbfounded
Rendered speechless by surprise
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- tongue-tiedUnable to express oneself
- muteWithout voice or sound
silenced · agape · slack-jawed · open-mouthed · gaping · inarticulate · thunderstruck · floored
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
abrupt · unanticipated · blindsided · caught-off-guard · unlooked-for · jolt · shock · bombshell · curveball · sucker-punch
gobsmackbore
Tiresome individual or drill
underwhelm · disappoint · numb · dull · fall flat