flabbergasted

adjective

flab·​ber·​gast·​ed ˈfla-bər-ˌga-stəd 

: feeling or showing intense shock, surprise, or wonder : utterly astonished

Every second person wore a blank flabbergasted expression, having just offered some gratuitous insult to a stranger, or, perhaps, received one.

—Myles na gCopaleen (Flann O'Brien)

That was the highlight of our career, when Vince Gill walked on stage one night and asked us to be the next members. We were flabbergasted, just speechless …

—Steve Wildsmith

But if the findings, published in 1996, surprised most scientists, recent research has left them flabbergasted.

—Sandra Blakeslee

Synonyms

• amazed
• stunned
• shocked
• astonished
• surprised
• dumfounded
• horrified

Examples of flabbergasted in a Sentence

was flabbergasted when we heard she was moving out of the state

responded to the news of his arrival with a flabbergasted gasp

Recent Examples on the Web

Few in cable news media can boast of such a tenuous understanding of American politics, as evidenced by Reid’s flabbergasted reaction to Donald Trump’s 2024 defeat of Kamala Harris. —Becket Adams, National Review, 2 Mar. 2025

In a video shared on Miss America’s Instagram page, Stockard appeared flabbergasted as she was crowned the victor. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Rowe was repeatedly asked by flabbergasted lawmakers how glaring and elementary security failings were allowed to happen, including communications difficulties between the Secret Service and local law enforcement, as well as the lax security of the rally perimeter. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024

Vinicius looked flabbergasted when referee Jesus Valenzuela produced a yellow card — one that means he will now be suspended for Brazil’s quarterfinal date with Uruguay. —Jack Lang, The Athletic, 2 July 2024

The channel’s flabbergasted hosts, played by Heidi Gardner and Mikey Day, try their best to steer away from the fact that the cookie is a boob. —Rima Parikh, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024

Fans were left flabbergasted at the idea Kanye would be done with music. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 July 2024

When someone inside the home answered the door, the flabbergasted driver tried to explain what happened. —Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 10 June 2024

The spray obscures much of the shirtless star's lower half, leading some flabbergasted fans to run to the comments. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flabbergasted

• blasted
• fasted
• lasted
• masted
• plastid
• broadcasted
• contrasted
• forecasted
• lambasted
• outlasted