astonish
C1Neutral to formal; more common in written or descriptive language than casual speech.
Definition
Meaning
To cause someone to feel great surprise or amazement, often unexpectedly.
To fill with sudden wonder, shock, or bewilderment; to leave someone speechless or unable to react due to the intensity of the surprise.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The focus is on the sudden, powerful effect on the observer's mind. It often implies a higher degree of surprise than 'surprise' itself and can border on disbelief. The emotion is typically temporary but intense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. 'Astonish' is equally understood and used in both varieties. Stylistically, it might be perceived as slightly more literary in both.
Connotations
Carries connotations of being taken aback, often by something impressive, shocking, or inexplicable.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. More frequent than 'astound' but less frequent than 'surprise'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] astonishes [Object]Be astonished by/at [Something][Subject] astonish [Object] with [Something]It astonishes [Object] that/to...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Never/doesn't) cease to astonish me”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used for extraordinary financial results or market movements. 'The quarterly profits astonished analysts.'
Academic
Used to describe surprising findings or theories. 'The discovery astonished the scientific community.'
Everyday
Used for personal reactions to surprising news or events. 'It astonishes me how fast time flies.'
Technical
Very rare; not a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The final score will astonish you.
- She never fails to astonish with her unique perspective.
- His sheer audacity astonished the committee.
American English
- The magician's trick totally astonished the crowd.
- It astonishes me that this isn't more widely known.
- They astonished everyone by winning the championship.
adverb
British English
- Astonishingly, the plan worked perfectly on the first try.
- The car was astonishingly fast for its size.
- He was astonishingly calm under immense pressure.
American English
- Astonishingly, the vote was unanimous.
- The project was completed astonishingly quickly.
- She is astonishingly good at languages.
adjective
British English
- The astonishing beauty of the Highlands is unforgettable.
- He gave an astonishing performance in his first professional match.
- With astonishing speed, the situation escalated.
American English
- The team made an astonishing comeback in the fourth quarter.
- It's astonishing how much technology has changed.
- She has an astonishing memory for details.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big cake astonished the children.
- I was astonished by the present.
- The news astonished everyone in the office.
- He astonished his friends with his new skills.
- The complexity of the problem astonished the researchers.
- I am continually astonished by her capacity for hard work.
- The judge's lenient sentence astonished legal commentators, given the severity of the crime.
- What never ceases to astonish me is humanity's boundless capacity for both creation and destruction.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A STONE is thrown, and I SHout in surprise!' A-STON(e)-ISH.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURPRISE IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (It hit me, I was knocked sideways, I was astonished).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ужасать' (to horrify). 'Astonish' is neutral/positive shock, not fear.
- The Russian 'изумлять' is a close equivalent, but 'astonish' can be used in a wider range of contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective directly (*'I feel astonish' instead of 'I feel astonished' or 'I am astonished').
- Confusing it with 'astound' (very similar, but 'astound' can imply an even greater degree of shock).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'astonish' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Surprise' is a broader, more general term for an unexpected event. 'Astonish' implies a much stronger, more overwhelming level of surprise, often causing wonder or temporary inability to react.
It is neutral but leans towards the descriptive and written register. It's perfectly acceptable in formal contexts and is less common in very casual, spoken English where 'amaze' or 'blow away' might be used.
The adjective is 'astonishing' and the adverb is 'astonishingly'. The past participle 'astonished' is used as an adjective describing the person who feels the surprise.
Yes, often. It can be used for positive surprises (astonishing beauty, talent) as well as negative or neutral ones (astonishing rudeness, complexity). The context defines the emotional valence.