astonish

[ uh-ston-ish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze:

   Her easy humor and keen intellect astonished me.

   Synonyms: shock, startle, astound

astonish

/ əˈstɒnɪʃ /

verb

1. tr to fill with amazement; surprise greatly

Other Words From

• as·ton·ish·er noun
• su·per·as·ton·ish verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonish¹

C15: from earlier astonyen (see astonied ), from Old French estoner, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested) to strike with thunder, from Latin tonāre to thunder

Synonym Study

See surprise.

Example Sentences

Maggie Smith never failed to illuminate and astonish.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter the general state of the project she was in, Smith never failed to illuminate, astonish and entertain.

From Los Angeles Times

The parallels between America and Weimar Germany astonish me.

From Salon

If he's president. and can use the powers of the presidency without fear of criminal prosecution to enrich himself and his family, I believe he's going to do that in ways that will astonish everyone.

From Salon

She is now 95 and widowed, and her positivity and determination continue to astonish.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• amaze
• astound
• bewilder
• boggle
• confound
• daze
• dumbfound
• flabbergast
• overwhelm
• shock
• startle
• stun
• stupefy