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 Even some of the most veteran storm chasers have been astounded by tornado activity so far this year. Elizabeth Weise, The Courier-Journal, 29 May 2024 And Nabers astounded evaluators at LSU’s Pro Day, led by his 4.38 40-yard dash. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2024 What followed at the state capitol astounded Jordan. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024 The decorative craftsmanship alone astounds, but these clocks also perform jaw-dropping mechanical automations. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for astound 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astound
Verb
  • The two played four minutes together during one of the Lakers’ six preseason games, a moment that left LeBron James amazed.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
  • The title signals the jump scare that the image maker hoped would likewise amaze the viewer when the 3D ghost loomed before their very eyes.
    Andrea Kaston Tange, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • But even the most devoted cat lovers might be surprised by the results of a new study.
    Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
  • Watch on Hulu At Witt’s End On December 1, 1994, 19-year-old Melissa Witt drove to surprise her mother at a bowling alley in Fort Smith, Arkansas, but disappeared without a trace.
    Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • That meant those showing up in New Zealand were astonished to discover their task was to climb the New Zealand Fiji Mountains within 14 days.
    Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2024
  • Immediately upon being plucked from the proverbial shadows of the backroom studio, Alessandro Michele astonished with his new Gucci, a house reawakened by an intriguing gentility rich with influences from antiquity to today’s urban culture.
    Bridget Foley, WWD, 27 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • The endangered turtle was hypothermic and lethargic, stunned by the chilly waters of Pedder Bay.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Blake Lively stuns in white at the CFDA Fashion Awards on Oct. 28 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Upstart Indiana, who have shocked even the most seasoned college football experts this year with the Hoosiers unblemished 9-0 record, come in at No. 8.
    David Close, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Tens of thousands of people who had invested their savings in the bank lost money, shocking the communist nation and prompting rare protests from the victims.
    Jason Ma, Fortune Asia, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The handful of locals at Mt. Baldy Lodge eating lunch Tuesday afternoon were startled when someone screamed that the Bridge fire was barreling toward the village.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024
  • How about experiments on the swimming ability of a dead rainbow trout or that time biologists tried to startle cows by popping paper bags by their heads?
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near astound

Cite this Entry

“Astound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astound. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on astound

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