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

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 And the ease of stepping onto Cornwall’s sandy, expansive beaches will astound you. Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025 Beauty and the Beast astounded when opening to $174.6 million domestically in mid-March 2017, not adjusted for inflation. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025 In terms of other Disney live-action princess remakes, Beauty and the Beast astounded when opening to $174.6 million domestically in mid-March 2017, not adjusted for inflation. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2025 What astounds, though, are the sculpture’s extraordinary eyes. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for astound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astound
Verb
  • Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 July 2025
  • Red tint amazes skywatchers Smartphones not enough to capture moon's beauty What would a lunar eclipse look like if the earth was flat?
    Jenny Porter Tilley, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bruce Brigham, the business's president, said Howie Glass had been a Midwest Glass customer for about 30 years and they were surprised by the closure news.
    JC Reindl, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • Couples who've been surprised by a string of baby boys or baby girls could be forgiven for wondering whether the odds in the offspring lottery are more than just pure chance.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Morgan, who lives in Knoxville, Tenn., was astonished.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 24 July 2025
  • Volunteers were astonished by the language in some of the deeds.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • While she was alarmed by shiny black leggings, slingback boots, and a jean jacket, I was equally stunned by her Pentecostal version of nurses’ scrubs; a powder blue, boxy dress with a matching jacket and headwrap.
    Essence, Essence, 24 July 2025
  • In January 2019, the Empire star claimed to have been a victim of a hate crime that stunned Hollywood but later was accused of staging the attack.
    Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • John Cena turning heel, meaning changing from a good to bad character, shocked the WWE Universe like nothing that had come before it and even reverberated throughout the sports and pop culture world at large.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 July 2025
  • News of his death shocked the music industry, who paid tribute through the day.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • He remains easily startled by loud noises, avoids direct eye contact, and is wary of new visitors.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
  • The formidable climb of YouTube in audience and influence has indeed startled the pop culture universe.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Astound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astound. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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