Astonish Meaning in English

word

US

əˈstɑnɪʃ

uh-STAH-nish

UK

ɐstˈɒnɪʃ

uh-STON-ish

Definition

To surprise someone very much, so that they feel wonder or disbelief.

Usage & Nuances

Formal or literary; stronger than 'surprise'. Common with objects like 'news', 'results', 'ability'. Often used in passive ('was astonished'). Less common in everyday speech than 'amaze' or 'surprise'.

• Spanish: asombrar - sorprender (mucho)
• Portuguese (BR): surpreender - espantar
• Portuguese (PT): surpreender - espantar
• Chinese (Simplified): 使吃惊 - 使惊讶
• Chinese (Traditional): 使喫驚 - 使驚訝
• Hindi: चकित करना - हैरान करना
• Arabic: يدهش - يذهل
• Bengali: বিস্মিত করা - চমকে দেওয়া
• Russian: изумлять - поражать
• Japanese: 驚かせる
• Vietnamese: làm kinh ngạc - làm sửng sốt
• Korean: 깜짝 놀라게 하다 - 경악하게 하다
• Turkish: şaşırtmak - hayrete düşürmek
• Urdu: حیران کرنا - متحیر کرنا
• Indonesian: membuat tercengang - membuat terkejut

Example Sentences

The magic trick astonished the children.

basic

Her answer astonished everyone in the class.

basic

It astonished me that he finished so quickly.

basic

You never fail to astonish me with your ideas.

natural

I was genuinely astonished when I saw the results.

natural

What truly astonished me was her kindness to strangers.

natural