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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of astonish
They too would have been astonished by its subtle yet pleasant effects and its practical use.
—
Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Former and current military fighter pilots were astonished that the Secretary of Defense texted details of the classified attack plan.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
When astronomers examined the spectrum of Van Maanen 2 on one of these plates, they were astonished to see spectral features usually associated with much more massive stars—namely, a strong calcium absorption line in the star’s atmosphere.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
Shauna is astonished to find out that Melissa lives there — that white baseball cap is doing a lot of work on Hilary Swank’s talented head — and the two sit down for a tête-à-tête for the ages.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonish
Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Former and current military fighter pilots were astonished that the Secretary of Defense texted details of the classified attack plan.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
When astronomers examined the spectrum of Van Maanen 2 on one of these plates, they were astonished to see spectral features usually associated with much more massive stars—namely, a strong calcium absorption line in the star’s atmosphere.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
Shauna is astonished to find out that Melissa lives there — that white baseball cap is doing a lot of work on Hilary Swank’s talented head — and the two sit down for a tête-à-tête for the ages.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonish
Verb
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What amazes me is that after Covid, a lot of the business became transactional.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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This isn't the first time a thrift store find has amazed the internet.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Don’t be surprised when the Avs win Game 6, 17-2. If the Stars had their complete lineup, this would not be a close series.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2025
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The truth is no one should be surprised by the swift start.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Broadus stunned in a plush pink coat and matching fedora.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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In February 2013, Benedict stunned the Catholic world by becoming the first pope in six centuries to retire.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The manhunt The slaying of Pascal shocked in the Upper Florida Keys community, which, while certainly not immune from crime, rarely experiences brutal murders.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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One father, a lawyer who teaches constitutional law, was shocked by the university’s roughshod treatment of his son and students and the ease with which administrators disregarded their rights.—
Wynn Smiley,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.—
Rob Mank,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 Apr. 2025
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But the website also has messages about residents being startled, as Catanzaro was, by stealthy contractors with air guns.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Astonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonish. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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