verb
astound
uh-STOWND
Astound (verb) means to shock or amaze someone so much that they are left almost speechless. Example: “The scale of the fraud astounded investigators.”
verb
1
To shock or amaze someone so much that they are left almost speechless.
"The scale of the fraud astounded investigators."
"Her talent for languages astounds everyone she meets."
How to use astound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo amaze someone so strongly that they are left stunned.
Common mistake
Very close in meaning to "astonish," though "astound" often implies a slightly stronger, more overwhelming shock.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- astounds
- Past tense
- astounded
- Comparative
- more astound
- Superlative
- most astound
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The scale of the fraud _____ investigators.
Etymology
From Middle English astouned, the past participle of a verb related to "astonish" — the two words share the same root and once meant essentially the same thing.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for astound
See all rhymes for astound →Frequently asked questions
What does “astound” mean?
The word “astound” means to shock or amaze someone so much that they are left almost speechless. In plain terms, to amaze someone so strongly that they are left stunned.
How do you pronounce “astound”?
“Astound” is pronounced uh-STOWND (/əˈstaʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “astound” in a sentence?
Here is “astound” used in a sentence: “The scale of the fraud astounded investigators.”
What part of speech is “astound”?
“Astound” is a verb.
Where does the word “astound” come from?
The word “astound” comes from Middle English. From Middle English astouned, the past participle of a verb related to "astonish" — the two words share the same root and once meant essentially the same thing.
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