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

In the autumn of 1971, a group of men came together who would carry out one of the most astonishing bank raids in history.

From BBC

Looking in the rearview mirror, I am astonished that I convinced myself that a woman of color could actually be president of the United States.

From Salon

Puerto Rican Serrano has won world titles in an astonishing seven divisions.

From BBC

For chunks of the contest, the home side looked outstanding, but South Africa’s ability to fight their way to survival was astonishing.

From BBC

Although legal or legislative efforts will be necessary to lift their now unconstitutional bans, it’s astonishing progress for those states and the people who live in them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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