noun
dumbfoundedness; being taken aback; state of shock
Describes a momentary feeling of being stunned, speechless, or let down by an unexpectedly simple or anticlimactic outcome. Often used in the phrase あっけにとられる (to be dumbfounded) or あっけない (anticlimactic).
あまりにあっけない結末に、あっけにとられた。
I was dumbfounded by the overly abrupt ending.
彼の突然の辞職に、みんなあっけにとられていた。
Everyone was taken aback by his sudden resignation.