Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flabbergast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flabbergast are amaze, astonish, astound, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

When would amaze be a good substitute for flabbergast?

The words amaze and flabbergast can be used in similar contexts, but amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is astonish a more appropriate choice than flabbergast?

The meanings of astonish and flabbergast largely overlap; however, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When might astound be a better fit than flabbergast?

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

too astounded to respond

Where would surprise be a reasonable alternative to flabbergast?

In some situations, the words surprise and flabbergast are roughly equivalent. 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 flabbergast For Perry, these operations felt like the final step to closing out a weight loss journey that flabbergasted millions online. Angela Yang, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025 Gates, who once held Musk’s current position as the world’s wealthiest person, seems to find this hard-right turn flabbergasting. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025 Dozens of producer friends wrote to one another, flabbergasted that such a thing could happen. Cathy Schulman, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025 As the rational and oft-flabbergasted physician who narrates Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, Watson is the looking glass into Holmes’s intellectual superpowers. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flabbergast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flabbergast
Verb
  • Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 July 2025
  • Red tint amazes skywatchers Smartphones not enough to capture moon's beauty What would a lunar eclipse look like if the earth was flat?
    Jenny Porter Tilley, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bruce Brigham, the business's president, said Howie Glass had been a Midwest Glass customer for about 30 years and they were surprised by the closure news.
    JC Reindl, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • The harmonious blend of savory premium ground beef, the depth of rich cocoa, and the bold notes of robust coffee create a flavor symphony that surprises and delights even the most experienced palates.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Under the masterful conditioning care of Brendan Walsh, this powerful striding colt came within a neck of shocking the world at odds of 15-1 in the second leg of the Triple Crown series.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Don’t be shocked to see Navy try him at QB in that triple option in Annapolis.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Joel Bernstein, Denver, N.C. I was astonished to read the June 30 letter (Proud of Trump) from Rob Berg, who compared Trump’s bombing of Iran with Barack Obama participating in an attack on Libya.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
  • That is why Nix's mind is what has Engram astonished.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • While she was alarmed by shiny black leggings, slingback boots, and a jean jacket, I was equally stunned by her Pentecostal version of nurses’ scrubs; a powder blue, boxy dress with a matching jacket and headwrap.
    Essence, Essence, 24 July 2025
  • In January 2019, the Empire star claimed to have been a victim of a hate crime that stunned Hollywood but later was accused of staging the attack.
    Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Many dogs and other pets were startled by the noise and ran away, shelter officials said, and good Samaritans found them and brought them to shelters.
    Marcus D. Smith July 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025
  • On June 2, the heart of Sicily—Mount Etna—experienced a volcanic eruption that startled tourists, summoned emergency alerts, and shot lava and ash high into the sky.
    Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flabbergast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flabbergast. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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