astonish
9 synonyms for astonish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To surprise someone so much that they are left amazed.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use astonish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
astonish everyone
astonished to learn
Etymology
Traces back through Middle English forms like "astony" and "astone" to Old French estoner, "to stun" — the "-ish" ending was likely added later by analogy with words like "abolish" and "banish."
Full origin of astonish →Frequently asked questions
What does “astonish” mean?
The word “astonish” means to surprise someone so much that they are left amazed. In plain terms, to amaze or shock someone with surprise.
How do you pronounce “astonish”?
“Astonish” is pronounced uh-STO-nihsh (/əˈstɑnɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “astonish” in a sentence?
Here is “astonish” used in a sentence: “The magician’s final trick astonished the whole audience.”
What part of speech is “astonish”?
“Astonish” is a verb.
Where does the word “astonish” come from?
The word “astonish” comes from Old French. Traces back through Middle English forms like "astony" and "astone" to Old French estoner, "to stun" — the "-ish" ending was likely added later by analogy with words like "abolish" and "banish.".
