Is there a word describing when somebody makes someone faint without using anaesthesia or physical contact. As seen in some comedy movies where an answer usually causes somebody to lose consciousness.
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2Knock unconscious? Literally/metaphorically. Stun; Daze.– KrisCommented May 28, 2014 at 9:37
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Neck-pinch :) ... - Also I fixed loose for you - theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling– mplungjanCommented May 28, 2014 at 9:56
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Overcome is sometimes used. e,g, I was overcome by the fumes. But to say Fred overcame Bill. wouldn't work.– Neil WCommented May 28, 2014 at 14:05
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@ermanen Is it? I've never heard faint used transitively.– AnonymCommented May 29, 2014 at 1:02
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1The medical term for fainting is syncope, but unfortunately (per OED) neither of the cognate verbs syncopate and syncopize has the requisite transitive sense.– Brian DonovanCommented Jun 4, 2014 at 21:04
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5 Answers
Stupefy seems to fit your requirements. It is a single transitive verb that comes closest to knock someone out.
- to put into a state of little or no sensibility; benumb the faculties of; put into a stupor.
- to stun, as with a narcotic, a shock, or a strong emotion.
- to overwhelm with amazement; astound; astonish.
as in
He stupefied her with his next statement. She sank to the floor in shock when he told her he was her father
Note to downvoter
Although having the same root, stupor is not stupid:
noun a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility. "a drunken stupor"
synonyms: daze, state of stupefaction, state of senselessness, state of unconsciousness; inertia, torpor, insensibility, numbness, blankness, oblivion, coma, blackout; Scottish dwam
Even Harry Potter agrees -
Stupefy (from Wikipedia, list of spells)
(Stunning Spell, Stupefying Charm, Stunner) Pronunciation: /ˈstjuːpɨfaɪ/ stew-pi-fy
Description: Puts the victim in an unconscious state. Manifests as a jet of red light.
Seen/mentioned: First seen in Goblet of Fire, used by Ministry officials at the Quidditch World Cup and later against Barty Crouch Jr.. Also seen used by a number of Ministry officials against McGonagall in Order of the Phoenix. It is also taught by Harry in his Dumbledore's Army meetings and used extensively during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries against the Death Eaters. Is seen by some, including Harry himself, as the basic spell for fighting. Death Eaters, Ministry Officials, Order members and students all seem to refer to this spell as their preferred attack.
answered May 28, 2014 at 11:46
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1To stupefy is to make someone stupid with disbelief. It has nothing to do with unconsciousness. Commented May 28, 2014 at 16:35
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Although having the same root, stupor is not stupid: stupor noun a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility. "a drunken stupor" synonyms: daze, state of stupefaction, state of senselessness, state of unconsciousness; Commented May 29, 2014 at 2:23
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2I an a few centuries behing the times: "stupid retained its association with stupor and its overtones of 'stunned by surprise, grief, etc.' into mid-18c." I still think of someone being stunned stupid. In either case, it is not a cause of unconsciousness. Only the very worst stupor is associated with altered level of consciousness, but not unconsciousness. A deep stupor is a level above unconscious. Commented May 29, 2014 at 4:12
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Seriously? Two downvotes for the word that comes the closest to what OP asks? Commented May 29, 2014 at 17:55
You might describe someone as having a "syncopal power" over someone else. I don't think there is a word which describes the effector of syncope but I'm sure a portmanteau could be coined if you really have an application for such a word.
As a single word, daze can be used in this sense.
Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. 'My head whirls,' said he; 'your words have dazed me.'
It is not a single word but you can consider make someone swoon.
Then one morning in late August, 1947, I got a phone call from Bob. My blood pressure must have gone up 100 degrees. Just hearing his voice again made me swoon.
Faint is (or was) a transitive verb also but the usage is obsolete:
To cause to faint or become dispirited; to depress; to weaken.
« It faints me to think what follows.» Shak.
- to knock out
- to stupefy
- to stun
- to cause to black out
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2Is this not just a list of what has already been posted? Commented May 30, 2014 at 16:43
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To knock out: The pungent smell drifting up from the corpse knocked her out. Commented Jun 1, 2014 at 15:37
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To stupefy= this word doesn't exactly express the same meaning fainting has, as stupefying someone or something as well a stunning a person or a creature implies putting the subject into a hazy sort of state, making them slightly less aware or subduing them. Commented Jun 1, 2014 at 15:41
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Peter had one too many shots and blacked out in the door way. Commented Jun 1, 2014 at 15:42
How about knock someone out (cold)?
knock someone out : to render unconscious by a blow or some other means
Alternately, consider make someone black out and make someone keel over.
black out: to lose consciousness temporarily: blacked out at the podium
keel over: to collapse in a faint
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Two of these answers have been given by another user. To keel over is unique, but is more readily understood as "to die" than "to faint".– Kit Z. Fox ♦Commented Jun 8, 2014 at 20:04
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@KitFox. No, this is just a copy of a deleted answer [see mplungjan's comment under the other user's answer]. I can reopen the deleted one if you want to.– ElianCommented Jun 8, 2014 at 20:15
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It depends on why you deleted the other one, if it is identical to this one.– Kit Z. Fox ♦Commented Jun 8, 2014 at 20:16
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@KitFox I'll delete this one and reopen the other so you can see for yourself.– ElianCommented Jun 8, 2014 at 20:19