Astonish Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：shock with wonder (astonish)

astonish 🔊

/əˈstɒnɪʃ/

vt.

To make someone feel very surprised or amazed.

Astonish expression of shock and wonder on a person's face

shock with wonder 🔊

➕

/ʃɒk wɪð ˈwʌndər/

vt.

To cause someone to feel extremely surprised or shocked, often by something unexpected or remarkable.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'estoner', meaning 'to stun', from Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'tonare' (to thunder).

💡 Mnemonic

A 'stone' thrown at you – it astonishes you with the sudden pain and surprise.

📖 Example

The prototype of a phone that can fold into a wallet astonished all the viewers at the tech exhibition. 🔊 The prototype of a phone that can fold into a wallet astonished all the viewers at the tech exhibition.

🔗 Collocations

astonish someone – to make a person feel great surprise

be astonished at/by – to feel very surprised because of something

astonishing news – news that causes extreme surprise

🔄 Synonyms

amaze (v.) – To cause someone to feel great wonder or surprise, often because something is hard to believe.

astound (v.) – To shock or greatly surprise someone, often with something incredible.

stun (v.) – To shock someone so much that they are unable to react immediately.

🚫 Antonyms

calm (v.) – To make someone quiet and peaceful, removing excitement or surprise.

reassure (v.) – To remove someone's doubts or fears, making them feel less surprised or shocked.

comfort (v.) – To soothe someone and ease their distress, opposite of causing astonishment.

🌱 Derivatives

astonishing (adj.) – Causing great surprise or amazement.

astonished (adj.) – Feeling or showing great surprise.

astonishment (n.) – The state of being very surprised or shocked.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from the Latin verb 'tonare' (to thunder), suggesting a shock as powerful as a thunderclap. It displaced the Old English word 'āstȳnan'.