Synonyms of astonish

astonish

verb

ə-ˈstä-nish 

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

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

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

Recent Examples of astonish

The success of the event astonished everybody. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

We cannot be astonished to see the Supreme Court rubber-stamp nearly every effort by the right to expand executive power—including undermining the legitimacy of the lower courts. —Stacey Abrams, Time, 28 Aug. 2025

The film charts Stone’s tragic descent into severe drug addiction, sapping the creativity that had astonished the world. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025

The attorney, Murray Silverstein, recalled being astonished that the matter had come to litigation. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025