Synonyms of astonish

astonish

verb

ə-ˈstä-nish 

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

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

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

Recent Examples of astonish

Cohn was particularly astonished by the work of Ferenc Szöllősi (opens a new tab), a Hungarian mathematician who intentionally started with a suboptimal arrangement of spheres in dimension four and built on it to match the best existing estimate in dimension five (opens a new tab). —Quanta Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

As a researcher in AI, I'm astonished by the massive volume of Chinese publications in top research journals and conferences in the field. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025

South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol — weakened after the liberal opposition retained control in an April election -– astonished the country by declaring martial law in a late-night announcement on Dec. 3. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

Another moment in the film astonished me with its undeveloped abruptness: Sylvie sits home, watching a TV broadcast of the March on Washington, where who should appear to sing in support of the civil-rights movement but Bob Dylan. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024