astound

verb as·tound \ ə-ˈstau̇nd \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of astound

transitive verb

: to fill with bewilderment or wonder

The unusual surgical techniques illustrated … will astound even the most bemused readers.
—Alan T. Marty

See astound defined for English-language learners

See astound defined for kids

Examples of astound in a Sentence

The magician will astound you with his latest tricks.
What astounds me is that they never apologized.

Recent Examples of astound from the Web

The delays represent an embarrassing and expensive setback for Intel, which long astounded the semiconductor industry with dependable and dramatic improvements in its chip technology and was plainly caught off guard by its current stumbles.

— mike rogoway, OregonLive.com, "Intel hits a wall on Moore's Law; growth in computing power finally slows," 3 May 2018
Riggleman on Reds' loss to Milwaukee Wochit Here’s a stat question that might astound you, Mobsters: How many more runs has Joey Votto directly produced this year than Billy Hamilton?

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty blog: How long should Billy Hamilton project last for Cincinnati Reds?," 2 May 2018
Sometimes you get lost in the magic, the sheer wonder of how – with so many moving parts – a company manages to pull off the spectacle, night after night, eight shows a week, and still astounds with something so enjoyable.

— jim rutter, Philly.com, "Bristol Riverside's 'The Producers' delivers laughter, ridiculousness and roof-shaking singing," 11 Mar. 2018
From 2002 to 2016, Sac State won 15 straight conference championships and went an astounding 113-4 in regular-season conference play, according to the team's record book, with three of those defeats coming in a single losing streak in 2014.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "Serious NCAA rules violations result in 3-year probation for Sac State tennis program | The Sacramento Bee," 20 Apr. 2018
The midfielder has been found to have been helping the club's kit staff with washing his teammates' dirty gear during his downtime from training, with one source telling the Sun newspaper that Mata's humbleness has astounded his fellow senior stars.

— SI.com, "Manchester United Ace Lauded Over Selfless Act to Aid Kit Staff With Dirty Washing," 13 Apr. 2018
His 2017 totals — three catches, 51 yards — are astounding given the money he was paid.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "Ryan Pace's 12 most significant wide receiver moves as Bears GM," 16 Mar. 2018
At first glance, the Regal TourX doesn't astound or amaze.

— eric bangeman, Ars Technica, "The station wagon is alive and well: Driving the Buick Regal TourX," 19 Mar. 2018
Like everyone around the NBA, the Suns – particularly their young players – are astounded by James’ continuing brilliance and durability.

— scott bordow, azcentral, "Suns marvel at LeBron James' continuing brilliance at the age of 33," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'astound.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of astound

see ²astound

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1592

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

astound Synonyms

Synonyms

amaze, astonish, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, surprise (also surprize);

Phrases

knock for a loop, take aback, take by surprise;

Synonym Discussion of 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.