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View synonyms for

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: , ,


astonish

/ əˈɒɪʃ /

verb

  1. (tr) to fill with amazement; surprise greatly

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • astonisher noun
  • superastonish verb
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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 ٴDz, for Latin ٳٴDz “to strike with lightning,” equivalent to ex- ex- 1, at- at- + ٴDz “to thunder”; extended by -ish 2, perhaps reflecting unattested Anglo-French astonir, from dialectal Old French; thunder
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Word History and Origins

Origin of astonish1

C15: from earlier astonyen (see astonied ), from Old French estoner, from Vulgar Latin exٴDz (unattested) to strike with thunder, from Latin ٴDz to thunder
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It capped an astonishing week for the mother-of-two, who dropped just one set across seven matches in nine days.

From

The judges called the book an "astonishing debut... a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity".

From

"That is an astonishing industrial failure from the SNP."

From

On Sunday, the Tony Awards paid homage to the astonishing array of acting talent that drew audiences back to the theater.

From

It was an attack of astonishing ingenuity – unprecedented, broad, and 18 months in the making.

From

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astoniedastonished