astound

verb

ə-ˈstau̇nd How to pronounce astound (audio)
Definition of astoundnext
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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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 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 That said, the rally in $Trump and $Melania tokens has astounded longtime market watchers. —Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025 Its very rare appearance in the northern sky astounded experienced moon-gazers. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for astound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astound
  1. amaze
  2. surprise
  3. astonish
  4. stun
  5. shock
  6. startle
Verb
  • What amazes me is how reading has affected not just me but so many others as well.
    — Lynne Agress, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 2025
  • While the dazzling auroras might’ve amazed our ancestors, the weak magnetic field intensified ultraviolet and cosmic radiation.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 May 2025
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • While watching car auctions together may surprise some, Kidman previously shared that Urban is a car enthusiast with Marie Claire Australia for the magazine's November 2020 issue.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • While there, the delegates were given a tour of some of the Vatican’s collection and were astonished to see treasured relics stored thousands of miles away from the communities who once used them.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • From that first puck drop, Jackson was astonished by the speed and intensity of a playoff game compared with a regular-season game.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Definition of astonish
Verb
  • The Pacers hold a 2-0 series lead after stunning the Knicks at MSG in Games 1 and 2.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
  • Related article Tyrese Haliburton and Indiana Pacers stun New York Knicks in overtime to take Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals Siakam insisted, however, that he and his teammates were not getting distracted by the prospect of writing their names in franchise history.
    — Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Perhaps there is some potential for hypersonics here, but I would be shocked to ever see a satellite launched into orbit from a fighter jet.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • The incident, which saw a car veer across a packed street in the center of Liverpool and plough through crowds of supporters, shocked the city and the football world.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Definition of shock
Verb
  • The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.
    — Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
  • The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2025
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

astonishments
astound
astounded
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Cite this Entry

“Astound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astound. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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