Synonyms of amaze

amaze

verb

ə-ˈmāz 

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

your ability to remember names and faces amazes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprise
• astonish
• stun
• shock
• startle
• astound
• dumbfound
• rock
• flabbergast
• surprize
• stupefy
• dumfound
• perplex
• bewilder
• take by surprise
• take aback
• thunderstrike
• befuddle
• bowl over
• disconcert
• floor
• confuse
• shake up
• dismay
• confound
• nonplus
• discomfit
• blow away
• blindside
• muddle
• daze
• jar
• knock for a loop

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amaze contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of amaze are astonish, astound, flabbergast, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When would astonish be a good substitute for amaze?

The synonyms astonish and amaze are sometimes interchangeable, but astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

In what contexts can astound take the place of amaze?

The words astound and amaze can be used in similar contexts, but astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

Where would flabbergast be a reasonable alternative to amaze?

The meanings of flabbergast and amaze largely overlap; however, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

When could surprise be used to replace amaze?

While the synonyms surprise and amaze are close in meaning, surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of amaze

Having an almost 80-year-old actor at the heart of the film and in almost every scene could be a huge undertaking, but Touzani says Maura’s vitality amazed her. —Alissa Simon, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025

Remus, who is now 5, amazes his family by reading books on his own, a development which Whittenburg attributes in part to the Imagination Library. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025

What has amazed Boudreau even more is that even as the project was suspended, many staff members kept working informally — keeping tabs on the famine situation in their country. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

His digital life is just as organized—a fact that never fails to amaze (and slightly depress) me. —Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025