astound
Americanverb (used with object)
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astounds,
present (3rd person singular)
-
astounded,
past participle, past
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astounding
present participle
adjective
verb
Synonym Usage
See surprise.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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astoundsimple
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astoundssimple
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have astoundedperfect
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has astoundedperfect
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am astoundingprogressive
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are astoundingprogressive
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is astoundingprogressive
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have been astoundingperfect progressive
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has been astoundingperfect progressive
Past
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astoundedsimple
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had astoundedperfect
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was astoundingprogressive
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were astoundingprogressive
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had been astoundingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of astound
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English astoun(e)d, past participle of astonen, variant of astonyen “to thunder.” See astonish
Explanation
Astound means to amaze. Savants, or those with extreme brain abnormalities, can astound people by their ability to play Beethoven sonatas on the piano after having heard them only once. Astound has its roots in the verb astonish, originally meaning to stun, and the idea of surprise remains wrapped up in the word. Things like over-the-top fireworks, believable magicians, and the miracle of life tend to astound. But if you lick all your favorite cookies to keep anyone else from taking them––your rudeness could astound as well.
Vocabulary lists containing astound
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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Ten Words from New York Times History - The Kitchen Debate - July 24, 1959
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For now, Chambliss is content piling up plays that astound football fans across the country—except for those who know him best.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
Train punctuality in Germany is appalling - worse than in the UK, which will astound weary British commuters.
From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2025
And many of these events occurred relatively recently, showing that the field of physics continues to astound us.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 27, 2023
The pusillanimity of American corporations on this subject continues to astound.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2021
You may try the recipe and astound your hosts.
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
Having seen “The Drama” in theaters twice, what astounds me is witnessing the audience’s open-mindedness.
From Salon ● Apr. 9, 2026
“It still astounds me as to how glacial the pace has been” to tackle the problem, said Dr. Ryan Hoy, who leads an occupational respiratory disease clinic at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 19, 2023
“Shrinking” is more intimate, a show about hard emotions and hanging out that happens to star a screen legend whose presence still astounds everyone.
From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2023
His work ethic still astounds those around him.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 14, 2022
Most of them are a good decade younger than me, and this astounds me.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
In inner-city Sydney, Australia, first-time mum Paige Stewart was astounded as she watched her children's progress with the programme.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Steve Gutshall of Murrells Inlet, was left astounded by Graham’s debate performance and felt that plenty of others were too.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
"We were astounded and overjoyed, actually," Haigwood said.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026
Right away, the effect on her body and well-being astounded her.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026
Some time ago William had arrived, offered his usual courteous greetings to the women, and then, instead of taking his place by the fireside, had astounded her by knocking boldly on the company room door.
From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
AEW, likewise, has seen an astounding number of early deaths in its seven years of existence.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
But the 23-year-old's lack of match fitness appeared to finally catch up with him in a high-octane encounter filled with breathless exchanges and astounding displays of athleticism.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss what this deal signals about the astounding amounts of money being thrown around the relatively niche market of A.I. investment.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
The numbers involved in AI are truly astounding.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
Even more astounding than the great temples and immense banners and colorful promenades were the botanical gardens—none existed in Europe.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
