as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the flabbergasting sight of the mess that the teens had left in the kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
your decision to suddenly quit your job flabbergasts me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flabbergasting
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Dohnányi, after no end of rigorous rehearsal, obtained a collective sound of unreal, flabbergasting clarity.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flabbergasting
Adjective
-
The San Felipe Stakes was not the only Derby prep race Saturday, nor the only one with a surprising result.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The result revealed a surprising pattern—superconductivity appeared and strengthened over a specific range of conditions, forming a curved region known as a superconducting dome.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The United States has released some startling statistics of its now week-long operation in Iran.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Bale’s startling as a good guy who’s in danger of going bad.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether looking for florals, lace, beading, or ruffles, there are lots of stunning plus-size dresses for spring weddings.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This cool texture also doubles as stunning spring nail art.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maury Phillips / Getty Images On March 7, 1965, the beating of future congressman John Lewis and voting rights marchers on Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge led the evening news, shocking the nation's conscience and pushing Congress to act.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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On March 7, 1965, the beating of future congressman John Lewis and voting rights marchers on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge led the evening news, shocking the nation’s conscience and pushing Congress to act.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And 17 teams were consistent losers, led by the Raiders, who failed at an astonishing nine of 10 hires.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Sharpshooter Chris Ashby led the way for Queens, scoring 34 points and hitting an astonishing 10 3-pointers, many of them in transition when Queens attacked the Central Arkansas trap.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flabbergasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flabbergasting. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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