astonish
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Related Words
See surprise.
Other Word Forms
- astonisher noun
- superastonish verb
Etymology
Origin of astonish
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
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.
Yet a more astonishing truth lies quietly within us: Nearly 8% of the human genome is viral in origin.
The 32-year-old hit his first 11 attempts at doubles in an astonishing display, missing for the first time when trying to take out 143 to win the match in straight sets.
From BBC
In his letter to the home secretary, Farage said it was "astonishing" that neither MPs from Labour, the Conservatives or other parties carried out "basic due diligence" on Fattah while they campaigned for Fattah's release.
From BBC
Astute observers will be aspired and astonished by so many assurgent and assistive technologies to ascertain, with aspects that assault all known associated assumptions and assertions.
Tragically, none of Ann’s four children lived more than a year past their birth, and the film recounts the close period between all four deaths with astonishing, unflinching honesty.
From Salon
Definitions 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.
