stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈstü-pər How to pronounce stupor (audio)
ˈstyü-
1
: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility
a drunken stupor
specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness
2
: a state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting often from stress or shock : daze
Choose the Right Synonym for stupor

lethargy, languor, lassitude, stupor, torpor mean physical or mental inertness.

lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

Examples of stupor in a Sentence

He fell into a drunken stupor. in a stupor of fatigue
Recent Examples on the Web This includes a legendary gunfight in a New Mexico saloon in January 1880, when Billy shot Joe Grant dead for terrorizing the bar in a drunken stupor. Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023 Other insects will be chilled into a stupor for a journey up to Honduras. Stephanie Nolen and Eleanor Lutz. Photography and Video By Federico Rios Escobar For The New York Times. Eleanor Lutz, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023 At one point, Harry Nilsson and Keith Moon, in a drunken stupor, had urinated onto the studio’s recording console, leaving the electronics in an ungodly mess. Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023 In this phase, failing organs rebound, but patients might experience alopecia (hair loss) and other complications, including delirium, stupor and coma, convulsions, adrenal hemorrhage, and pancreatitis. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023 Blood runs down their arms after removing syringes while others pass out on the pavement or stumble through the busy road in a stupor. Megan Myers, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2023 Instead, the overwhelming majority of perps caught on camera in Class 57 tend to run, hide in locked trailers, slump over in an intoxicated stupor, or cooperate unhappily. Sam Russek, The New Republic, 20 Oct. 2023 Conversation-wise, the stupor is an opportune moment to reflect on the meals and hospitality shown to us. Julian Manning, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2023 Advertisement Finally, after more than three months, Alabama coach Nick Saban pulled Kiffin out of his stupor by offering him the offensive coordinator job. J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stupor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from stupēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stupor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near stupor

Cite this Entry

“Stupor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stupor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stupor

noun
stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər How to pronounce stupor (audio)
1
: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or feeling
drifted into a pleasant, dreamy stupor
2
: a state of dullness or lack of interest resulting often from stress or shock

Medical Definition

stupor

noun
stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər How to pronounce stupor (audio)
: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility
a drunken stupor
specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness

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