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

Examples 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 astound The results astounded me and raised deep questions about ethics, the authenticity of media artifacts, and the personal meaning behind handwriting itself. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2024 The lack of cultural awareness or care here astounds for its conspicuousness. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024 Listening to the original Synchronicity now, Sting’s ambition on the two title tracks still astounds. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2024 And its performance has astounded even the experts. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for astound 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astound
Verb
  • Severe geomagnetic storm sparks stunning northern lights across US (photos) Don Pettit sees petite Dawn descending Monday, September 16, 2024: NASA astronaut Don Pettit has amazed us again with another outstanding photo.
    Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Ben Böhmer - Bloom Composer and producer Ben Böhmer amazes with Bloom.
    Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • A lot of people are surprised a 62-year-old man can see the positive side of screen time.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Over the past few years, the strength of the U.S. economy and the job market have surprised almost everyone.
    PAUL WISEMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That aspect of this start astonishes even McCollum.
    CJ Moore, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
  • In 2014, for instance, one researcher was astonished to watch a single sea otter devour roughly 30 European green crabs in an hour, per the Washington Post.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Joao Fonseca of Brazil, 18, stunned No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the first round after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals title last month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The Dallas Cowboys stunned the NFL world when it was announced that the team had chosen to move on from Mike McCarthy as head coach.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His statements — including Holocaust denial, racist denunciations of Muslims and immigrants, and his 1987 proposal to forcibly isolate people with AIDS in special facilities — shocked his critics and strained his political alliances.
    Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
  • During a pre-show red carpet stroll, Gomez was shocked when House of Gucci star Salma Hayek interrupted her live spot with carpet co-host and Variety senior culture and events editor Mark Malkin, to give Sel, 32, a hug.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The most recent superintendent was basically run out of the job in June after startling dysfunction in the central administration was uncovered.
    Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
  • More on Axios: PR's misguided metrics Israeli intelligence sees growing chance Assad's forces collapse in Syria Israeli intelligence officials have been startled by a faster-than-expected collapse of the Syrian army's defense lines over the last 24 hours, two senior Israeli officials tell Axios.
    Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near astound

Cite this Entry

“Astound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astound. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on astound

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