Thesaurus results for ASTONISH

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

astonish

verb

ə-ˈstä-nish

Definition of astonish

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

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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

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 astonish The documentary, which astonished critics at its surprise world premiere Sunday night at the Telluride Film Festival, could upend how the public sees her. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 The judge for Lam's initial court appearance in Miami sounded astonished by a prosecutor's summary of his lavish spending. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 The judge for Lam’s initial court appearance in Miami sounded astonished by a prosecutor’s summary of his lavish spending. — Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026 Related Stories While onstage before his new film bowed on the first night of the serene Colorado festival, Haigh seemed faintly astonished to be there at all. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astonish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonish

Verb

What amazes me is there seems to be a wide swath of Michiganders who don’t seem to mind being lied to.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026
And especially with the stock market—I’m amazed the stock market still hasn’t really taken the hit.

— Victoria Feng, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of amaze

Verb

Carleton was surprised by how many older adults were thrilled to join a trial that would guide not only their care, but the treatment of others going forward.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
After years of buying and selling horses, Casse knows the business will keep surprising him.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of surprise

Verb

But after circling a few times, the shark spat out the bait, leaving fishermen on the pier stunned.

— Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
At a small celebration dinner in San Francisco after the deal closed, Basu Trivedi was stunned by their choice of lodging.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of stun

Verb

No matter how one views the death penalty, the grisly details of this tragic incident should — to use a phrase coined by Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter — shock the conscience.

— Dr. Jacob Appel, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
The Israeli film, set in 1987, centers on a 12-year-old boy, Boaz, played by Yair Mazor, who, while preparing for his bar mitzvah, is shocked to witness his father (Assi Cohen) having sex in a swimming pool locker room.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of shock

Verb

To build a stealthy ocean-monitoring platform for the Office of Naval Research, Professor Shepherd needed a propulsion system that would not startle marine life.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of startle

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“Astonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of astonish

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