ˈst(y)üpəˌfī verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle French stupefier, modification (influenced by Middle French -fier -fy) of Latin stupefacere, from stupēre to be benumbed, be astonished, be stupefied + facere to make — more at do
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make physically stupid, dull, or insensible : benumb
concoctions of hemp and mandragora … to stupefy the sensibilities of individuals who must undergo pain — Science
people warped and stupefied by pellagra responded quickly to balanced diet — American Guide Series: Tennessee
b. : to blunt or deaden the faculties of perception and understanding of
such a power … enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people — Alexis de Tocqueville
has not stupefied his countrymen into imitating his own mannerisms — Times Literary Supplement
the whole stupefying theological word game — H.J.Muller
2. : to shock with surprise, astonishment, or consternation : stun , astound
the shape of the monolith … and the fanged feline deity left me wondering and stupefied — Angélica Mendoza
was stupefied by the impact of this tragedy — B.A.Williams
the amount of work their painstaking delicacy … represented was stupefying to think of — H.L.Davis
intransitive verb
: to become stupid, dull, or torpid
Synonyms: see daze