astonish

[ uh-ston-ish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze:

   Her easy humor and keen intellect astonished me.

   Synonyms: shock, startle, astound

astonish

/ əˈstɒnɪʃ /

verb

1. tr to fill with amazement; surprise greatly

Other Words From

• as·ton·ish·er noun
• su·per·as·ton·ish verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonish¹

First recorded in 1525–35; Middle English astonyen, astonen, probably from unattested dialectal Old French astoner, Old French estoner, from unattested Vulgar Latin extonāre, for Latin attonāre “to strike with lightning,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹, at- at- + tonāre “to thunder”; extended by -ish ², perhaps reflecting unattested Anglo-French astonir, from dialectal Old French; thunder

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonish¹

C15: from earlier astonyen (see astonied ), from Old French estoner, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested) to strike with thunder, from Latin tonāre to thunder

Synonym Study

See surprise.

Example Sentences

“These words astonish me as much as they amaze you,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

To question that which seems to have ceased forever to astonish us.

From The Daily Beast

The art works which still astonish the world were launched in part to give employment to the poor multitude.

From The Daily Beast

They frighten a few people (mostly each other), are rude to bystanders and astonish a cleaning lady.

From The Daily Beast

His book should astonish both liberals and conservatives—and for very different reasons.

From The Daily Beast

Nothing seemed to trouble or astonish the visitor, either about the food or the service.

From Project Gutenberg

In thy anger thou wilt tread the earth under foot: in thy wrath thou wilt astonish the nations.

From Project Gutenberg

Blind faith in a religion, fanatical zeal for a religion, are too common to astonish us.

From Project Gutenberg

The members often astonish those who know them best by their responses to their opportunities.

From Project Gutenberg

And without mere ado, he took up his favourite instrument, and prepared to astonish the company.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amaze
• astound
• bewilder
• boggle
• confound
• daze
• dumbfound
• flabbergast
• overwhelm
• shock
• startle
• stun
• stupefy