Synonyms of amaze

amaze

verb

ə-ˈmāz 

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

your ability to remember names and faces amazes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprise
• astonish
• stun
• shock
• startle
• astound
• dumbfound
• rock
• flabbergast
• surprize
• stupefy
• dumfound
• perplex
• bewilder
• take by surprise
• take aback
• thunderstrike
• befuddle
• bowl over
• disconcert
• floor
• confuse
• shake up
• dismay
• confound
• nonplus
• discomfit
• blow away
• blindside
• muddle
• daze
• jar
• knock for a loop

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

Recent Examples of amaze

What amazed me was that Zeah was already on home detention for a rack of serious criminal charges. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2025

The Chiefs didn’t amaze us on an every-game basis, not really, anyway. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025

The Met’s exhibition amazes in two contradictory ways: as a reappreciation of Rudolph’s artistry and as an assessment of his impact on the American city. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024

Costco continues to amaze both with price and with entertainment and all my Costco’s are a blast to shop at. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025