astonish

//əˈstɒnɪʃ//

Verbs
B2

Translation

astonish

Definition

To astonish someone is to cause them to feel great surprise or amazement, often because something is unexpected or extraordinary. This verb is used to describe a strong emotional reaction that goes beyond simple surprise, implying a sense of wonder or disbelief. For example, a magician's trick might astonish an audience, or a sudden achievement can astonish friends and family. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the intensity of the surprise.

Example

  • The magician's final trick astonished the entire audience.

  • It astonishes me how quickly she learned to play the piano.

  • The news of his sudden promotion astonished his colleagues.

  • Her ability to solve complex problems in minutes astonished the team.

  • The beauty of the sunset over the ocean astonished the tourists.

  • He astonished everyone by finishing the marathon in under three hours.

  • The scientist's discovery astonished the academic community.

  • It astonished her parents that she chose to study abroad.

  • The unexpected arrival of the celebrity astonished the crowd.

  • The level of detail in the painting astonished art critics.

Synonyms

amaze
astound
stun
dumbfound
flabbergast

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