amaze
Americanverb (used with object)
-
amazes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
amazed,
past participle, past
-
amazing
present participle
-
to overwhelm with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly.
It will never cease to amaze me how fast children grow.
She was amazed that someone could be serious about something so incredibly absurd.
- Synonyms:
- flabbergast, stun, dumbfound, astound
-
Obsolete. to bewilder; perplex.
verb (used without object)
-
amazes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
amazed,
past participle, past
-
amazing
present participle
noun
verb
-
to fill with incredulity or surprise; astonish
-
an obsolete word for bewilder
noun
Synonym Usage
See surprise.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
amazesimple
-
amazessimple
-
have amazedperfect
-
has amazedperfect
-
am amazingprogressive
-
are amazingprogressive
-
is amazingprogressive
-
have been amazingperfect progressive
-
has been amazingperfect progressive
Past
-
amazedsimple
-
had amazedperfect
-
was amazingprogressive
-
were amazingprogressive
-
had been amazingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of amaze
First recorded before 1000; from Middle English amasen, from Old English āmasian “to confuse, stun, astonish,” equivalent to a- 3, + unattested *masian “to confuse”; cf. maze ( def. )
Explanation
Things that amaze fill you with confusion and mystery — or they just impress you. Either way, amazing things make an impact. There are two main meanings to amaze. The first has to do with causing a feeling of puzzlement or awe. An impressive magician amazes people with tricks. Anything impressive can also amaze. A great basketball player might amaze you with a rim-rattling dunk or by hitting dozens of free throws in a row. Things that amaze also astound, astonish, and impress. Amazing things are also awesome: in the old of sense "causing awe" and the recent sense of "really cool."
Vocabulary lists containing amaze
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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:
“I believe that stories have an important role to play in the formation of human beings,” Miyazaki once said, “that they can stimulate, amaze and inspire their listeners.”
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
“It does amaze me when people go, ‘You are so disturbing.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
Meagan’s awed expressions clearly demonstrated that as much as you know a place, you can always find more to amaze you.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
Ms Thompson says the puzzlers continue to amaze her, getting faster every year.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2025
I amaze myself sometimes at what I have personally been through and still remain in one piece.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
“The scope and detail of these operations amazes me,” wrote commenter Clark Ackerman.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
But it is not so much its size that amazes, but its uncanny shape.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
"It amazes me that similar parenting behaviors have evolved so many times in so many distinct animal lineages," says Kay.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026
It amazes me that today's set-piece coach is lauded for goals scored, yet never criticised for set-play goals conceded by his team.
From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025
“Still amazes me every time I see it,” she said.
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
As the skipper of the 40-foot sloop First Light, Ms. Brauer had at her fingertips resources that would have amazed the salts of yore.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
“But I’m amazed at the different types of people that show up regardless.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
He said was "amazed" how close it was to people's homes when he visited nearly 20 years ago.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
I am constantly amazed by the number of people in our country who do not seem to understand the basics of capitalism.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
She would stand there looking down at him, and she would say, "Are you hungry again?" in an amazed voice.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
"It's just amazing how much we still have to learn about them."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
“This amazing investment is being ignored because it’s so out of favor and because the stock market is so popular,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026
"Sgiath is incredibly clever. Her problem solving and her ability to take on new challenges and learn so quickly are just phenomenal, and it's so amazing to watch."
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
“Palmdale” is amazing and it reads like you too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
They are thoughtful, intelligent, and really amazing young women.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
