astonish
verb (transitive)
UK/əˈstɒn.ɪʃ/US/əˈstɑː.nɪʃ/
To surprise or impress someone greatly.
Example Sentences
He was astonished by the magician's tricks.
She was astonished to hear the news.
The results of the experiment astonished the scientists.
They were astonished at how quickly the project was completed.
Her performance in the play astonished everyone.
The sudden success of the startup astonished its founders.
He was astonished by the beauty of the landscape.
The teacher was astonished by the student's progress.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To cause great surprise or awe, leaving someone stunned or amazed.“Astonish” signifies a strong, immediate reaction of wonderment or shock—often beyond mere surprise. When you say something “astonishes” you, it means it exceeds your expectations in a dramatic or thrilling way. For example, you might be astonished by a magician’s trick that defies logic, or by a sudden achievement that seemed impossible. In casual or personal scenarios, you might talk about a friend’s remarkable talent that “astonishes everyone,” highlighting the wow factor. In more formal contexts—like a news report—“astonish” emphasizes how a statistic or event is far beyond the norm, prompting a heightened reaction from the public.
Alternatives
When focusing on related expressions, “amaze,” “stun,” or “startle” serve similar purposes, albeit with slight differences. “Amaze” stresses delight or admiration, while “stun” can lean toward a paralyzing shock or inability to react immediately. “Startle” connotes a jolt of surprise, often brief and triggered by a sudden event. “Awe” underscores respect or reverence alongside wonder. Meanwhile, “astound” parallels “astonish” closely but may carry an even stronger sense of being overwhelmed. Each word shapes the exact flavor of surprise—be it uplifting amazement or a blindsiding shock.
Writing
In formal or literary writing, specify what leads to astonishment and how characters or audiences react. For instance, in a historical account, you could note: “These discoveries astonished scientists of the day, challenging their prevailing theories.” If crafting a narrative, show the emotional or physical cues—“She stood rooted to the spot, astonished by the dazzling display of lights.” This approach brings readers closer to the moment of astonishment. If referencing data or statistics, detail why the figures are so unexpected: “The results astonished analysts, exceeding prior estimates by a wide margin.” Whether your writing is factual or creative, highlight context to convey why something is truly astonishing, not just mildly surprising.
Casual Conversation
Friends might say, “I’m astonished you’ve never seen that movie!” to express playful shock. If someone shows a hidden talent—like effortlessly solving a Rubik’s Cube—onlookers may exclaim, “That’s astonishing!” You could also hear, “It astonishes me how quickly she picked up guitar,” underscoring rapid skill acquisition. In casual remarks, “astonish” reveals you’re really impressed—beyond a simple ‘that’s cool.’ It captures a sense that your expectations have been blown away. Whether chatting about a new local restaurant’s inventive menu or a child’s sudden growth spurt, “astonish” signals enthusiastic disbelief or wonder. Sometimes friends banter with irony, like “I’m astonished you’re finally on time,” gently teasing about an unusual occurrence. This playful use still indicates something has defied normal expectations. Overall, “astonish” in everyday talk highlights big, uplifting surprises or bracing moments of revelation.
Etymology
“Astonish” hails from the Middle English “astonien,” drawn from Old French “estoner,” meaning “to stun or strike with thunder.” Rooted in Latin “extonare” (“ex-” plus “tonare,” to thunder), it originally invoked the image of being thunderstruck—literally overwhelmed or knocked senseless by something as forceful as a thunderclap. Over time, the word shifted to signify strong surprise or wonder rather than actual incapacitation. Modern usage still preserves the essence of that thunderbolt effect—hitting someone’s senses so powerfully they pause in awe or disbelief.
