absolutely flabbergasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely flabbergasted" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It conveys a feeling of extreme surprise or astonishment. You can use this phrase in any type of writing where you want to express a strong sense of shock or disbelief. For example: - I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw the results of the election. I never would have imagined that candidate winning. - Sarah was absolutely flabbergasted by the expensive price of the designer handbag. She couldn't believe anyone would spend that much on a purse. - The students were absolutely flabbergasted when the teacher announced they would have no homework for the rest of the week. They were used to receiving a heavy workload. - The detective was absolutely flabbergasted when he finally uncovered the truth about the murder. He never suspected the killer was someone so close to the victim.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted".

The New York Times

The women were absolutely flabbergasted".

The New York Times

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted," she says.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted," he said.

The New York Times

"I was absolutely flabbergasted," Morrow has said of that meeting.

The Guardian

"I get absolutely flabbergasted about what people pay for things," he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

I'm utterly flabbergasted.

Forbes

That investigators of [censored] should go to a notorious America First leader to inquire about [censored]'s loyalty and that investigators of [censored] should turn to [censored] for evidence leaves me absolutely breathless and flabbergasted.

The New Yorker

Some of the things that go on in football these days, he would have been absolutely dismayed and flabbergasted by.

BBC

"We are flabbergasted that someone with absolutely no connection to this case can be allowed to bring an action like this.

The Guardian

Even flabbergasted.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely flabbergasted" to emphasize a high degree of surprise or astonishment, particularly when the situation is unexpected or unbelievable.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, consider whether "absolutely flabbergasted" is too informal for academic papers or professional reports. Opt for more neutral language like "astonished" or "surprised" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely flabbergasted" functions as an adjectival phrase used to describe someone's emotional state, specifically conveying a feeling of extreme surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely flabbergasted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase expressing extreme surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI's analysis, along with numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its prevalence in news and media, with notable appearances in academic contexts as well. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's best to consider the formality of the context, opting for more neutral language in academic or professional settings if necessary. Related phrases such as "utterly astonished" or "completely shocked" provide similar expressions for varying degrees of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely stunned

Swaps "flabbergasted" for "stunned", emphasizing a state of shock or disbelief.

utterly astonished

Replaces "flabbergasted" with "astonished" and "absolutely" with "utterly", intensifying the feeling of surprise.

completely shocked

A straightforward and strong expression of surprise and disbelief, uses "shocked" instead of "flabbergasted" and "completely" instead of "absolutely".

completely dumbfounded

Substitutes "flabbergasted" with "dumbfounded" and "absolutely" with "completely", implying a loss of speech due to shock.

astonished beyond words

Replaces "absolutely flabbergasted" with a more descriptive phrase indicating extreme surprise and speechlessness.

totally bewildered

Replaces "flabbergasted" with "bewildered" and "absolutely" with "totally", focusing on confusion and disorientation.

speechless with amazement

Highlights the inability to speak due to overwhelming surprise and wonder.

incredibly surprised

Uses "surprised" instead of "flabbergasted", offering a milder but still significant expression of astonishment, and "absolutely" turns into "incredibly".

awestruck and amazed

Emphasizes the feeling of awe and wonder along with surprise.

taken aback

A more understated way to express surprise, implying a sudden shock or unexpected event.

FAQs

What does "absolutely flabbergasted" mean?

It means to be extremely surprised or astonished. It's a stronger way of saying "surprised" or "amazed".

How can I use "absolutely flabbergasted" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe your reaction to something unexpected. For example, "I was absolutely flabbergasted when I won the lottery."

What can I say instead of "absolutely flabbergasted"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly astonished", "completely dumbfounded", or "absolutely stunned" depending on the context.

Is "absolutely flabbergasted" formal or informal?

It leans towards the informal side. While acceptable in many contexts, it might be too strong for highly formal writing. Consider using a more neutral term like "astonished" in those cases.