Synonym Chooser

How does the verb astonish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of astonish are amaze, astound, flabbergast, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When is amaze a more appropriate choice than astonish?

While the synonyms amaze and astonish are close in meaning, amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is it sensible to use astound instead of astonish?

While in some cases nearly identical to astonish, astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

Where would flabbergast be a reasonable alternative to astonish?

In some situations, the words flabbergast and astonish are roughly equivalent. However, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

In what contexts can surprise take the place of astonish?

The meanings of surprise and astonish largely overlap; however, 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 astonish Other Instagram users were astonished at how Yasmina managed to reach that height on her own. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025 Assessment results often land in the middle range, with leaders frequently astonished by how much room there is for improvement. Esmt Berlin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 The Arkells were astonished to see the Grotesque-style decorations, which feature animal heads swirling into clouds, hares trotting and sneering human profiles. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025 Orlando Sentinel Florida sports fans more familiar with FCS events like Feast on the 50 (mark your 2025 calendars for Oct. 9) who haven’t attended Sideline Wine & Dine will be astonished by the comparative intimacy. Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonish
Verb
  • In 2024 one woman amazed the internet with the results after she was warned not to paint her house white, only for the results to shock people who were against it at first.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
  • The way 16 different emotions can flit across his face in a single moment continually surprises, amazes and confounds us.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • In the past, she has been surprised by the condition of upholstered pieces at estate sales upon taking them outside.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • House Democrats picked 47-year old California Rep. Robert Garcia to lead them on the Oversight Committee, surprising the many internal critics who’d assumed the party was married to seniority.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Charlotte had stunned the Canucks with a goal at the 8:22 mark of the first period, and the game was tied 1-1 entering the final 20 minutes.
    Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
  • The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Analysts say even a slight disruption on the strait could shock a U.S. economy already preparing for a rise in inflation and force the Fed to hold interest rates throughout the end of the year.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • The news shocked many who know Askren, 40, given his physical fitness and long-term attention to his health.
    Sofia Schwarzwalder, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Driver hit a pole after cicada startled them The crash happened around 1:48 p.m. on June 11 in Blue Ash, a suburb of Cincinnati, according to a crash report obtained by USA TODAY.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • At one point, before anyone could intervene, the baby startled my dog, and my dog reacted by biting him.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Astonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonish. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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