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
  • This creator, in the true sense of the word, adds a touch here and there, drapes or lets fall the folds of a cape or a huge collar, borrows from all the epochs of fashion and interprets them all, and in the sum total, never fails to amaze us with his exquisite audacity.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 7 July 2025
  • The Teton Range, covered in powder, amazes as far as the eye can see.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Frantic runs burst through the music, while the last movement surprises with its sudden force.
    Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025
  • In early May 2025, oil briefly hit its lowest price in four years after OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) surprised the market with an accelerated output hike for the summer, a move Trump himself had previously called for.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Joel Bernstein, Denver, N.C. I was astonished to read the June 30 letter (Proud of Trump) from Rob Berg, who compared Trump’s bombing of Iran with Barack Obama participating in an attack on Libya.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
  • That is why Nix's mind is what has Engram astonished.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The Princess of Wales also stunned in a gold cape dress for the No Time to Die James Bond premiere in 2021 and for a 2023 State Visit by the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • Friends told me of arriving at a familiar spot for the first time after the cease-fire and being stunned by the sight of buildings ripped open by a blast.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Under the masterful conditioning care of Brendan Walsh, this powerful striding colt came within a neck of shocking the world at odds of 15-1 in the second leg of the Triple Crown series.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Don’t be shocked to see Navy try him at QB in that triple option in Annapolis.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Your trash schedule might not be top of mind this Independence Day between going to fireworks displays, making a last-minute run to the grocery store or getting startled by loud booms.
    Eleanor Nash July 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025
  • According to a crash report, a cicada flew into the driver's window, startling the driver.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Astound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astound. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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