astounded 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstau̇n-dəd How to pronounce astounded (audio)
Definition of astoundednext
1
as in amazed
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise were astounded to realize that we were holding the winning lottery ticket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in astonished
filled with amazement or wonder the astounded look on the tourists' faces when the police ordered them to leave the country immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

astounded

2 of 2

verb

past tense of astound
as in surprised
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

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 astounded
Adjective
His producers were astounded, but horrified that it had been achieved using AI. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 May 2026 Shortly after, the director saw Holbrook playing Johnny Cash in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, and was astounded by the actor’s range. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Verb
The film features numerous long-winded monologues, including one delivered by Tracy that astounded Shatner on set. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026 Playing with composure and maturity that astounded his most veteran teammates, Anthony cemented himself as Boston’s leadoff man and put their AL East rivals on notice. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astounded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astounded
  1. amazed
  2. astonished
  3. surprised
  4. stunned
  5. shocked
  6. startled
Adjective
  • As the world waits with bated breath for official photographs from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s July 3 wedding—specifically of Swift’s custom Dior wedding dress—Jason Kelce is amazed that no photos have leaked from the big day.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 2026
  • Every guest who reaches the temple's 17th-century wooden stage is amazed by the view over the grounds and the city beyond.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of amazed
Adjective
  • Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Definition of astonished
Verb
  • The list of demands from Iran can’t have surprised the White House.
    — Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Some gifts have stretched beyond the artists’ fan base, like in 2014 when U2 surprised millions of people with an automatic download of the band’s album, Songs of Innocence.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprised
Adjective
  • Motorcycle gunmen opened fire on Gastélum as stunned viewers watched online.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • While the devices are marketed as nonlethal and safe for the heart, a pending lawsuit alleges a 43-year-old man died in 2024 after he was shocked 27 times with the gloves and 13 more times by a Taser at a jail in Richmond, Kentucky.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, so political has Tafoya gotten in her hometown of Edina, an upscale Twin Cities suburb, that many people were shocked the 61-year-old didn’t take a run at public office earlier.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocked
Verb
  • The 10-episode first season (critics received six for review) opens in the early hours of the morning, when Anna is startled awake by a phone call.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Witness Hoon Chan Sim, 53, was sitting on a park lawn with his dog near West Drive when he was startled by the squeal of braking tires, and spun around to see the horrific collision.
    — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of startled

Browse Nearby Words

astound
astounded
astounding
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astounded. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on astounded

Nglish: Translation of astounded for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All