astonish
verb (used with object)
to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze.
have astonished
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present perfectof astonish.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
He said becoming an OBE would have astonished his younger self.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2022
That is fewer than the 1.5m who die from viral hepatitis, a fact that would have astonished the delegates to Durban in 2000.
From Economist ● Jul. 21, 2016
Still, this contemporary outlook would have astonished the struggling writers of Gissing’s day, and reflects, in part, the spread of creative work in the current economy.
From Slate ● Jan. 8, 2015
Hedge funds account for a huge share of trading in financial markets, and have grown to a scale that would have astonished Mr. Jones, amassing roughly $2 trillion in assets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2010
With a gentleness which would have astonished his numerous enemies, the chancellor laid his two hands on my lady's shoulders and pressed her into a seat.
From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. II (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Lewis Wingfield
