flabbergasted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flabbergasted by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express extreme surprise or shock about something. Example: "She was flabbergasted by the unexpected news of her promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm flabbergasted by how many people have actually seen it.

The New York Times

Irwin, for his part, was flabbergasted by the performance.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was flabbergasted by the chaos of it all.

The New Yorker

They were, however, flabbergasted by the size of the difference.

The Economist

"People are flabbergasted by the drop in oil prices.

The New York Times

We were flabbergasted by the birds' spring return times.

The Guardian

Cummins said: "I'm flabbergasted by this week's announcements.

The Guardian

"Sometimes I'm flabbergasted by the thing all the students get wrong," Thienpont said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then he clammed up, frozen and flabbergasted by his own outburst.

The New Yorker

"I was flabbergasted by the reaction that it caused," Mr. Harwell told Salon.com.

The New York Times

So Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com is among those flabbergasted by the irrationality of it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flabbergasted by" to express a strong sense of surprise or astonishment, particularly when something exceeds your expectations or understanding.

Common error

While "flabbergasted by" is acceptable, consider using more formal synonyms like "astonished by" or "surprised by" in academic or professional writing to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flabbergasted by" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to convey a strong emotional reaction of surprise or astonishment towards something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a state of being overwhelmed by unexpected events or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flabbergasted by" is a widely used expression to convey a strong feeling of surprise or astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and primarily found in News & Media contexts. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "astonished by" in academic or professional settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the unexpected nature or magnitude of an event. With a strong source quality score and an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a reliable and effective way to express extreme surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonished by

Similar in meaning, emphasizes a feeling of great surprise and wonder.

amazed by

Highlights a sense of wonder and delight in response to something surprising.

stunned by

Implies a more overwhelming shock or surprise, often leaving one speechless.

shocked by

Suggests a strong, often negative, surprise.

dumbfounded by

Similar to stunned, implying a loss of speech due to surprise.

surprised by

A more general term for experiencing something unexpected.

taken aback by

Emphasizes being startled or caught off guard.

awestruck by

Highlights a feeling of reverence and wonder.

bewildered by

Focuses on confusion and disorientation caused by something unexpected.

startled by

Suggests a sudden and often slight surprise.

FAQs

What does "flabbergasted by" mean?

The phrase "flabbergasted by" means to be extremely surprised or astonished by something. It suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed by unexpected events or information.

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

You can use "flabbergasted by" to describe your reaction to something surprising. For example, "I was "flabbergasted by" the generosity of the community after the fire."

Are there synonyms for "flabbergasted by"?

Yes, some synonyms for "flabbergasted by" include "astonished by", "amazed by", "stunned by", and "surprised by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "flabbergasted by" formal or informal?

"Flabbergasted by" leans towards the informal side but is generally acceptable in most contexts. For very formal writing, consider using "astonished by" or "surprised by" instead.