Synonyms of amaze

amaze 1 of 3

verb (1)

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

amazed

2 of 3

adjective

ə-ˈmāzd 

1

as in stunned

affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise

you'd be amazed at the destruction one small squirrel can cause inside a house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stunned
• shocked
• astonished
• surprised
• horrified
• appalled
• astounded
• dumbstruck
• startled
• awestruck
• dumbfounded
• flabbergasted
• thunderstruck
• stupefied
• bewildered
• aghast
• overwhelmed
• dazed
• bowled over
• dismayed
• awed
• confused
• blindsided
• awesome
• wide-eyed
• widemouthed
• agape
• open-mouthed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unruffled
• casual
• nonchalant
• blasé

2

as in wondering

filled with amazement or wonder

a visitor cannot help but be amazed by the size of the Great Pyramid

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wondering
• astonished
• surprised
• awed
• bewildered
• marveling
• astounded
• awestruck
• stunned
• dumbfounded
• flabbergasted
• puzzled
• startled
• open-mouthed
• bemused
• overwhelmed
• staggered
• stupefied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unimpressed
• disinterested
• indifferent
• unconcerned
• uninterested
• dispassionate
• bored
• impassive
• incurious
• unemotional
• jaded
• emotionless

amazed

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of amaze

as in surprised

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

your ability to remember names and faces amazes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprised
• stunned
• shocked
• astonished
• startled
• astounded
• flabbergasted
• dumbfounded
• rocked
• stupefied
• thunderstruck
• bewildered
• perplexed
• confused
• floored
• bowled over
• dismayed
• took by surprise
• took aback
• disconcerted
• befuddled
• nonplussed
• dazed
• blindsided
• jarred
• confounded
• blew away
• muddled
• shook up
• discomfited
• knocked 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

Verb

This technology still amazes me. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026

What still amazes a man who has to be hard to impress is the Gunnison Tunnel. — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Adjective

Once the excitement was over, Elvia Malcolm started looking through the photos on her phone and was amazed to see some clear action shots of the chase. — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Mike Chavez of Grand Junction is still amazed at his good timing. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 27 June 2026

Verb

For twelve seasons, Kim has amazed us with her fierce and raw portrayal of Teddy Altman. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

What amazed me the most was the remains of what appeared to be a tall conifer — possibly a cypress or cedar — on Edgar Street in Pacific Palisades, where the Palisades fire ravaged an entire street. — Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026