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

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 discovery astonished scientists, but so did the person who made it. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025 Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day. Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025 The Wall Street veteran was astonished by the Chouinards’ sincere desire to part with their fortune. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonish
Verb
  • This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Kim Kardashian knows how to turn heads, but the reaction to her shapewear brand Skims unveiling of thongs with fake pubic hair amazed even her.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some of his teammates, including Grizzle, said they were surprised by Doyle’s ability to put some spin on the ball.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The president surprised many last week by announcing that an agreement with India had been reached to stop its buying of Russian crude oil.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Those close to me were stunned by my transformation.
    Connie Bennett, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Rafael and Deneane Hancock, who took first place, stunned the crowd with a C-Walk midway through their second scored couples dance.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50, the study shocked local leaders and eventual led to the formation of the Opportunity Task Force.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The first comes in the show’s shocking cold open, in which a mother gives birth to a demonic baby that subsequently attacks an 11-year-old boy.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.
    Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonish. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on astonish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!