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 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 McCourty, a 13-year veteran at the time, was astonished by the program Thornhill put together. Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonish
Verb
  • Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
  • What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.
    Eitan Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But what surprised me most about these curls was the stealthiness of the burn.
    Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Three days later, the couple's friends surprised them with a celebratory wedding dinner.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The industry was stunned when Colorado inked former National League MVP Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract after the 2021 season.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … OUT OF NOWHERE – Driver stunned when a surprise visitor makes a sudden appearance.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The legacy trade preference program lapsed Tuesday without a renewal from Congress, shocking some and disappointing many, including lawmakers, importers and the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) exporters and heads of state who have been lobbying with mounting fervor for an extension.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The rural Wisconsinite, who died in a psychiatric institution in 1984, became known for keeping as totems pieces of his victims’ bodies, in a string of crimes that shocked bucolic 1950s America.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sleep may be disturbed by a pet's movements, and dogs may bite if startled.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The record-scratch startle that jump-starts the dramatic arc occurs when Eleanor (Squibb) is trying to figure out what to do with herself at a Manhattan Jewish community center after recently relocating from Florida.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Astonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonish. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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