astonish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'astonish' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that something was so impressive or unexpected as to cause wonder or surprise. For example, "Her courage and determination to help others astonish me every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than her behaviour, what began to astonish me was the constant to-ing and fro-ing of communication.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

FOR a country with so many wars, Israel still has an economy with the power to astonish.

The Economist

This did not astonish Romanians who have long abandoned any hope for consistency in this government's policies, despite its popularity.Mr Ponta's emergency decree is widely thought to have the CAN, Romania's national broadcast media regulatory council, in its sight.

The Economist

The spread of Mr Kilby's invention into never-thought-of applications, and the staggering fall in its cost, never ceased to astonish and delight him.In 2000, Mr Kilby shared the Nobel prize for physics.

The Economist

Some of his oldest detractors reckoned he might astonish everyone by switching from populist hawk to pragmatic dove.

The Economist

Whether it will astonish or not is less clear.Making your own breezeTo give the government credit, it has created some of the fair wind behind it now.

The Economist

And the film bangs on about Potts's tremendous voice for an hour and a half before the audition sequence arrives, leaving little chance it will affect or astonish viewers the way the real audition did".One Chance" is still a slick and good-natured British romantic comedy, with a charming performance by Alexandra Roach as Potts's girlfriend.

The Economist

It might astonish you that anybody anywhere would want to perpetuate that legacy, but that is what a faction of the party does.

The Economist

If viewers cast aside their hostility, what may astonish is Mr Hirst's ability to transform dry conceptual art into witty, emotionally engaging work.In this section Please don't go Never forget The heavens and the earth Lines of history Is nothing sacred?

The Economist

THE PACE of decline on Wall Street continues to astonish.

The Economist

The horsemen approach ReprintsMr Ivanishvili wants to make Georgia a democracy to "astonish the world".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonish" to convey a sense of significant surprise or wonder, reserving it for situations where the impact is considerable. It's not a synonym for mild surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "astonish" in everyday conversation or informal writing when simpler words like "surprise" or "amaze" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound unnatural or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

"Astonish" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to receive the action. It signifies causing someone to feel great surprise or wonder, as seen in Ludwig's examples where inventions or actions "astonish" people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonish" is a versatile verb used to express a high degree of surprise and amazement. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Its primary function is to describe something that evokes wonder or disbelief. While it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it’s best reserved for situations where the surprise is significant. Consider alternatives like "amaze" or "surprise" for milder situations. With its consistent usage in authoritative sources, "astonish" remains a valuable word in conveying impactful surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amaze

A more general term for causing surprise or wonder.

astound

Implies a greater level of surprise and shock than "astonish".

surprise

A broader term that can refer to both positive and negative unexpected events.

flabbergast

Suggests being overwhelmed with surprise and disbelief.

stun

Indicates a temporary loss of awareness or ability to react due to surprise.

dazzle

Suggests being greatly impressed by brilliance or skill.

overwhelm

Indicates being overpowered by emotion or sensation, including surprise.

bewilder

Suggests confusion and disorientation due to something unexpected.

startle

Implies a sudden, brief shock or surprise.

impress

Indicates a favorable opinion or admiration, often due to skill or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "astonish" in a sentence?

You can use "astonish" to describe something that greatly surprises or amazes someone. For example, "The magician's tricks continued to "amaze" and "astonish" the audience".

What's the difference between "astonish" and "surprise"?

"Surprise" is a general term for something unexpected, while "astonish" implies a greater degree of wonder and amazement. "Astonish" suggests something is so remarkable it causes considerable surprise. For example, while a pop quiz might surprise you, winning the lottery would likely "astound" or "astonish" you.

What are some alternatives to "astonish"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "amaze", "astound", "flabbergast", or "surprise" instead of "astonish".

Is it correct to use "astonish" in formal writing?

Yes, "astonish" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when you want to convey a strong sense of surprise or amazement. However, consider the overall tone of your writing and whether a more neutral word like "impress" might be more suitable in some cases.