Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amaze contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of amaze are astonish, astound, flabbergast, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When would astonish be a good substitute for amaze?

The synonyms astonish and amaze are sometimes interchangeable, but astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

In what contexts can astound take the place of amaze?

The words astound and amaze can be used in similar contexts, but astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

Where would flabbergast be a reasonable alternative to amaze?

The meanings of flabbergast and amaze largely overlap; however, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

When could surprise be used to replace amaze?

While the synonyms surprise and amaze are close in meaning, 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 amaze What has amazed Boudreau even more is that even as the project was suspended, many staff members kept working informally — keeping tabs on the famine situation in their country. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025 His digital life is just as organized—a fact that never fails to amaze (and slightly depress) me. Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025 What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations. Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025 Selling 17,000 social robots still amazes me. Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for amaze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amaze
Verb
  • The potential intruder surprises her in the water.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In New York City, Charlie Sheen embarks on a book tour for his new memoir, The Book of Sheen, while Doja Cat surprises fans at her pop-up in Union Square.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day.
    WWD Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Wall Street veteran was astonished by the Chouinards’ sincere desire to part with their fortune.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • More than anything, when the show finally ends, its finale will stun most viewers into silence.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In 1936, an underdog American rowing team stunned the world by winning the Olympic Gold.
    Jerry Cahn, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Broadbelt’s death shocked the community and reignited a countywide conversation about the dual problem of unleashed dogs and overcrowded animal shelters.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Kristen Delano, a spokesperson for Koloma, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview that the discovery shocked scientists, many of whom thought hydrogen molecules were too small to collect underground.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Then the Buckel brothers arrived, intent on doing the same, and Smith was startled.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Another Epstein accuser looked up, startled, to see where the deafening sound was coming from.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even in her 90s, her easily flitting vocals astounded, bouncing from deep valleys to breathy peaks, and, like the best jazz, mimicking the volatility and joy of the human spirit.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Either way, you'll be astounded by just how light this laptop feels.
    Luke Larsen Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amaze. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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