French word

stupeur

Pronunciation

IPA/stypœʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounastonishment

Example

La nouvelle a provoqué une stupeur générale.

The news caused general astonishment.

Illustration for stupeur (astonishment)

More examples

La foule resta silencieuse, submergée par la stupeur.

The crowd stayed silent, overwhelmed by shock.

Core concept

A sudden shock turns a crowd into silent, motionless witnesses.

Common phrases

  • éprouver de la stupeur

    experience shock

  • une stupeur générale

    general shock

  • un regard de stupeur

    a look of astonishment

Similar words

surprise: A feeling of surprise caused by something that was not expected.
étonnement: A feeling of astonishment at an unexpected fact or event.
choc: An intense mental shock that causes distress, turmoil, and confusion.
consternation: Astonishment and bewilderment so strong that speech fails.

Definition in French

État d'étonnement profond empêchant toute réaction ou parole, généralement provoqué par un événement inattendu.

Word origin

French stupeur continues Latin stupor, a noun related to stupēre, meaning to be numb or stunned.

Usage tips

  • Stupeur is formal and intense, whereas everyday French usually uses étonnement for ordinary surprise.

Other meanings

  • stupornoun
  • shocknoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word