Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

astonish

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of astonish

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
  • The news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me.
Synonyms of astonish

amaze, astound, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, surprise (also surprize)
Words Related to astonish

befuddle, bewilder, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up
Phrases Synonymous with astonish

knock for a loop, take aback, take by surprise

Synonym Discussion of astonish

surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.
    • surprised to find them at home
astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.
    • a discovery that astonished the world
astound stresses the shock of astonishment.
    • too astounded to respond
amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.
    • amazed by the immense size of the place
flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.
    • flabbergasted by his angry refusal

Learn More about astonish

  1. See words that rhyme with astonish Dictionary: Definition of astonish Spanish Central: Translation of astonish Nglish: Translation of astonish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of astonish for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up astonish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games