Synonyms of amaze

amaze

verb

ə-ˈmāz 

as in to surprise

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

your ability to remember names and faces amazes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amaze contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of amaze are astonish, astound, flabbergast, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When would astonish be a good substitute for amaze?

The synonyms astonish and amaze are sometimes interchangeable, but astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

In what contexts can astound take the place of amaze?

The words astound and amaze can be used in similar contexts, but astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

Where would flabbergast be a reasonable alternative to amaze?

The meanings of flabbergast and amaze largely overlap; however, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

When could surprise be used to replace amaze?

While the synonyms surprise and amaze are close in meaning, surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of amaze

The Smithsonian expedition, much like his adventures as a young naturalist in his room, was about quenching his thirst for knowledge and perhaps helping others do the same though the various museum exhibitions that continue to amaze young and old to this day. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024

Nothing will surprise you like hooking a snapper and amaze you like eating it that night. —Outside Online, 29 Aug. 2024

What amazed me is that separation started almost as soon as [Trump] assumed the presidency. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024

Joey Belladonna, Anthrax Minnesota Vikings 13-4. Tim and Phil Hanseroth, The Hanseroth Twins/Brandi Carlile Seattle Seahawks The Seahawks will amaze the NFL under new head coach and defensive guru Mike Macdonald, and his new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. —Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2024