astonish

verb

ə-ˈstä-nish How to pronounce astonish (audio)
Definition of astonishnext
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb astonish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of astonish are amaze, astound, flabbergast, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When is amaze a more appropriate choice than astonish?

While the synonyms amaze and astonish are close in meaning, amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is it sensible to use astound instead of astonish?

While in some cases nearly identical to astonish, astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

Where would flabbergast be a reasonable alternative to astonish?

In some situations, the words flabbergast and astonish are roughly equivalent. However, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

In what contexts can surprise take the place of astonish?

The meanings of surprise and astonish largely overlap; however, surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of astonish Sue Bird, a WNBA and college basketball legend in her own right, was also astonished. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025 The red-carpet looks which astonished us at recent Met Galas were worn for dramatic effect, but, quietly, vintage is being worn all the time, everywhere: a vintage bias slip with a 1970s Elsa Peretti Tiffany cuff, or a ’90s Helmut Lang heel, or, from now, Maison Margiela tabis. —Amanda Harlech, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025 Director Robert Hastie and choreographer Jenny Arnold keep the quintet of actors in such constant motion, rife with genre winks and references, that I was astonished not to see Ben Stones’s crisp, transformable base costumes of pinstripes, suspenders, and ties soaked clean through by the finale. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025 My family immigrated to America from an authoritarian country, and some of my relatives and I are astonished and horrified that the same thing is befalling the US. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonish
  1. amaze
  2. surprise
  3. stun
  4. shock
  5. startle
Verb
  • What amazes me is that after Covid, a lot of the business became transactional.
    — Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • This isn't the first time a thrift store find has amazed the internet.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • There were no big Heat rotation surprises to begin the postseason.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Vogue: What has surprised you most about your parenting journey?
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • Related article Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala stuns five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek to reach Miami Open semifinals Despite losing, Eala wore a beaming smile on her face before walking off the court, with the crowd applauding her for a memorable run.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Rogen was also stunned when a Hollywood heavyweight director agreed to appear.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Another photographer told me how she was shocked by the amount of couples booking for years down the line.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Moment Mom Realizes What 11-Year-Old Daughter Had Been Doing With Scissors By Jack Beresford Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A mom was shocked to discover that her 11-year-old daughter had made some noticeable modifications to her school uniform.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of shock
Verb
  • In a now-viral video from Stacy Goss, the family was startled by the sight of a huge bald eagle gawking at them, but more concerningly, at their dog Gnocchi.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

as to
astonish
astonished
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Cite this Entry

“Astonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonish. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of astonish for Spanish Speakers

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