astound

1 of 2

verb

as·​tound ə-ˈstau̇nd 

astounded; astounding; astounds

transitive verb

: to fill with bewilderment or wonder

The unusual surgical techniques illustrated … will astound even the most bemused readers.

—Alan T. Marty

astound

2 of 2

adjective

archaic

: overwhelmed with astonishment or amazement : astounded

Synonyms

Verb

• amaze
• astonish
• bowl over
• dumbfound
• dumfound
• flabbergast
• floor
• rock
• shock
• startle
• stun
• stupefy
• surprise
• surprize
• thunderstrike

Choose the Right Synonym for astound

surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness.

surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

Examples of astound in a Sentence

Verb

The magician will astound you with his latest tricks.

What astounds me is that they never apologized.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What followed at the state capitol astounded Jordan. —Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024

The decorative craftsmanship alone astounds, but these clocks also perform jaw-dropping mechanical automations. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably in part derivative of astound entry 2, in part back-formation from astounded (Middle English astondid, attested once), doubled past participle of astonen, astonien "to stun, daze, surprise" — more at astonish

Adjective

Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen "to stun, daze, surprise" — more at astonish

First Known Use

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

astound

verb

as·​tound

ə-ˈstau̇nd

: to fill with puzzled wonder