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

"Malian soldiers were also released during the same exchange. It is an astounding deal in terms of its scale and the elements involved, especially in the current context," the security source continued.

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An astounding 48 students are committed for the winter period.

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"The results were astounding," said first author Christopher X. Wong, PhD, of UCSF, the University of Adelaide, and the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Read more on Science Daily

The response was astounding with hundreds of fans pledging their donations.

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Anthony happened also to be curious and to possess an astounding memory.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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