Thesaurus results for ASTOUND

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

astound

verb

ə-ˈstau̇nd

Definition of astound

as in to amaze

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected it astounds me that you flew all the way out here just for my birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 astound The thousands who came to see his 1857 painting of Niagara Falls, first in the United States and then in Britain, were astounded by its immense scale and unique perspective. — Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 Dev’s capacity for overestimating the appeal of his ideas and projects continues to astound me. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026 The Pleiades remains a spectacular sight today through a pair of 10X50 binoculars or a telescope, even the most modest of which would astound the old scientist who first examined the deep sky object in detail. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026 Throughout it all, Kudrow astounds. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astound

Recent Examples of Synonyms for astound

Verb

His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Just before halftime, van Persie slipped past the Spanish defensive line to receive a long-range pass from teammate Daley Blind and looped the ball over Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a first-time diving header that amazed the audience.

— Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026

Definition of amaze

Verb

Was there any particular friendship that had drama and surprised you?

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
What went down Dickens shared a video of himself surprising the Nature Gurlz, a beloved group of women who meet up weekday mornings to bask in the great outdoors.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of surprise

Verb

Taken during Yeltsin’s trip to America months before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, the photos show the former Russian president astonished by the variety of frozen foods at Randall’s supermarket in Houston.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
To hold something close, to attend to it, to be astonished by it.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of astonish

Verb

On Monday June 29, a bomb exploded on the doorstep of Yermolaiev’s luxury apartment in Monaco, gravely injuring the Ukrainian millionaire and shocking residents of the wealthy city state.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Fans were thus shocked when Jillian filed for divorce in January 2015.

— Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of shock

Verb

Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of a super restful sleep cycle, whether you are startled by the neighbor’s dog or an unwanted text message.

— Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of startle

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“Astound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astound. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of astound

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