astound

[uh-stound]

verb (used with object)

1. to overwhelm with amazement; astonish greatly; shock with wonder or surprise.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  astonished; astounded.

astound

/ əˈstaʊnd /

verb

1. (tr) to overwhelm with amazement and wonder; bewilder

Other Word Forms

• astoundment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of astound¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English astoun(e)d, past participle of astonen, variant of astonyen “to thunder.” See astonish

Word History and Origins

Origin of astound¹

C17: from astoned amazed, from Old French estoné, from estoner to _astonish

Synonym Study

See surprise.

Example Sentences

The Harcourt we know, who sports black jeans and gets into bar fights just to feel something, is astounded that Peacemaker didn’t immediately sniff out the rot in this utopia.

From Salon

Residents were astounded recently when they began selling at more than $1 million.

From Los Angeles Times

Retes said he was astounded to learn the agency’s latest claims about July 10 — moments that were captured on video.

From Los Angeles Times

Two visitors her age, both named Taylor, can’t wrap their minds around this astounding ignorance.

From Los Angeles Times

Beginning around 2002, Gonzales-Day assembled found, if largely forgotten, old photographs that document astounding brutality in shaping the history of the American West.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astonish 
• bewilder 
• confound 
• confuse 
• dumbfound 
• flabbergast 
• overwhelm 
• shock 
• stagger 
• startle 
• stun 
• stupefy 
• surprise