Synonyms of astonish

astonish

verb

ə-ˈstä-nish 

as in to amaze

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

the news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Recent Examples of astonish

Richard Noble, the previous land-speed-record holder at 633 mph in Thrust 2, once recalled being astonished by how Green was able to provide a calm commentary while going supersonic in Thrust SSC. —Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2025

Soccer Player Sidelined Due to Injury from 'Pretty Hefty Sneeze' According to Ashley, the hospital staff were astonished. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Licence utilisation among the initial user base exceeded 80 percent, a figure that astonished even the bank’s AI leadership team. —Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Hotel manager Anders Reinertsen, who oversees operations of staterooms and public areas, told me he was astonished to be able to hear kayakers paddling while sailing through Geirangerfjord because the ship is so quiet. —Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025