astonishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of astonish
as in amazes
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 astonishes 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 His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishes
  1. amazes
  2. stuns
  3. surprises
  4. startles
  5. shocks
Verb
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • This technology still amazes me.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Definition of amazes
Verb
  • Paula Abdul stuns in neon orange for The Hollywood Reporter’s A-list Aesthetics event at Hotel Bel-Air on July 15 in Los Angeles.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • Set the scene This resort stuns, with magical panoramic views of the northern coastline of Crete.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of stuns
Verb
  • What surprises me, actually, is – not surprises me, but what gratifies me is that Iranian attacks have been – not been larger or more capable.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2026
  • The Park Hyatt Chicago, which opened in 1980 as the first-ever Park Hyatt hotel, immediately surprises with its boutique vibe.
    — Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of surprises
Verb
  • Missile warning startles Dubai Earlier on Friday, a missile warning in the United Arab Emirates caused by a technical glitch underscored the ongoing tensions in the region, following the attack on the cargo vessel and Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past few days.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • The combination of flashing light and movement startles them.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Definition of startles
Verb
  • All the regulars head inside, but then a loud boom shocks viewers.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 July 2026
  • Finally, a mystical Rabbi arrives and shocks the king and queen by taking off all his clothing, getting under the table and crowing like a rooster.
    — Josh Penn Soskin, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of shocks

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Cite this Entry

“Astonishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishes. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on astonishes

Nglish: Translation of astonishes for Spanish Speakers

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