Synonyms of astound

astound

verb

ə-ˈstau̇nd 

as in to amaze

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

it astounds me that you flew all the way out here just for my birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb astound contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of astound are amaze, astonish, flabbergast, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

When might amaze be a better fit than astound?

The words amaze and astound can be used in similar contexts, but amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

Where would astonish be a reasonable alternative to astound?

In some situations, the words astonish and astound are roughly equivalent. However, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

In what contexts can flabbergast take the place of astound?

Although the words flabbergast and astound have much in common, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

When is surprise a more appropriate choice than astound?

While the synonyms surprise and astound are close in meaning, 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 astound

The thousands who came to see his 1857 painting of Niagara Falls, first in the United States and then in Britain, were astounded by its immense scale and unique perspective. — Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Dev’s capacity for overestimating the appeal of his ideas and projects continues to astound me. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026

The Pleiades remains a spectacular sight today through a pair of 10X50 binoculars or a telescope, even the most modest of which would astound the old scientist who first examined the deep sky object in detail. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Throughout it all, Kudrow astounds. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026