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
• bewilder
• perplex
• take by surprise
• take aback
• thunderstrike
• befuddle
• bowl over
• disconcert
• confuse
• floor
• nonplus
• discomfit
• confound
• shake up
• dismay
• daze
• blindside
• blow away
• muddle
• 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

More than 42,000 of those pieces were found over just the past eight years of excavation, a pace that astonishes even the researchers leading the work. —Ryan Brennan april 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026

The news, revealed in court filings last week, astonished environmental lawyers, who were already shocked after the Department of the Interior announced two weeks ago that a meeting to discuss an exemption would take place on March 31. —Chiara Eisner, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026

Holmes is a funny guy, making impossible deductions and Watson still managing to be astonished by it. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026

The Founders would be astonished to see how massive the country’s defense establishment has become today, and even more surprised by its tradition of deference to civilian authority. —Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026