flabbergast

verb

flab·​ber·​gast ˈfla-bər-ˌgast How to pronounce flabbergast (audio)
flabbergasted; flabbergasting; flabbergasts

transitive verb

: to overwhelm with shock, surprise, or wonder : dumbfound
We were flabbergasted by the news that he had won the lottery.
flabbergastingly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for flabbergast

surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness.

surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

Examples of flabbergast in a Sentence

It flabbergasts me to see how many people still support them. your decision to suddenly quit your job flabbergasts me
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
He’s been flabbergasted by what’s happened since 2021. Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025 But over the last month, since Los Angeles swung a midnight trade that flabbergasted the NBA, this clash has elevated from a one-off novelty to a plausible NBA Finals preview. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2025 She's flabbergasted that PRNDL has endured. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 None other than Dionne Warwick has also been flabbergasted by this latest metaphor. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flabbergast

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flabbergast was in 1772

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flabbergast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flabbergast. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

flabbergast

verb
flab·​ber·​gast ˈflab-ər-ˌgast How to pronounce flabbergast (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on flabbergast

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