amaze 1 of 3

Definition of amazenext

amazed

2 of 3

adjective

amazed

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of amaze

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
Verb
Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026 But Manso consistently pulls rebounds away from taller players, scores inside and makes plays that amaze his teammates. Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Check it out below, and prepare to be amazed. Angela Moscaritolo, PC Magazine, 7 Mar. 2026 Proctor was amazed by their artistry and detail. James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
In 1905, German zoologist Gustav Tornier described a live-bearing toad from Tanzania that amazed scientists of his time. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025 This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amaze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amaze
Adjective
  • Part of the big event began at the end of last week’s episode, when a stunned NCIS director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) tells Parker that NCIS is being shut down.
    Jim Halterman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The mother of four stunned, wearing a long-sleeved, figure-hugging metallic dress to walk the red carpet at the Oscars after-party.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Cain seems genuinely shocked by this.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Lexi, who appears to be an assistant, is shocked.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Live, the 11-year-old actor shared his astonished reaction to getting the note.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • No one, not even Jason — who is baffled at the galley’s sudden collapse — is more surprised at Ellie’s outburst than Ben.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
  • When the Epstein files were released earlier this year, Scott Aaronson was surprised to find his own name in them.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Castro, who spent the day with Mejia and often translated for her, described Mejia as awed and giddy throughout the day.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
  • And the second-to-none acoustics, with 10,000 state-of-the-art fiber panels that project sound throughout the theater, will leave you awed.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Hamilton and Madison would have been aligned in horrified opposition had Washington, without congressional action, dispatched gunboats to sink British ships.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
  • And the posts do tend to trigger horrified reactions from other TikTok users.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There was no punchline, no twist — just the straightforward, slightly bewildered observation that someone, somewhere, had performed surgery on a grape.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Exasperated, bewildered, and realizing other musicians were also dealing with this, Bender came up with a way to show just how porous the system was.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Amaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amaze. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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