Astonish is a word that is often used to describe a feeling of surprise or amazement. It is a word that can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing a stunning performance to expressing shock at a sudden turn of events. In this article, we will explore the meaning of astonish, its origins, and how it is used in different contexts.
Definitions
Astonish is a verb that means to surprise or amaze someone. It can also mean to shock or stun someone with something unexpected. When someone is astonished, they are usually caught off guard by something that they did not expect.
Origin
The word astonish comes from the Old French word estoner, which means to stun or daze. The word was later adopted into Middle English and eventually became the word we know today.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, astonish means “to strike with sudden wonder or surprise, to amaze, to astound.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “to surprise or shock someone very much.”
Associations
Astonish is often associated with feelings of surprise, wonder, and amazement. It can also be associated with shock and disbelief.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of astonish include amaze, surprise, astound, shock, stun, and startle.
Antonyms
Antonyms of astonish include bore, disappoint, and predict.
The same root words
The word astonish shares the same root word as the words stun, daze, and amaze.
Example Sentences
- The magician’s performance left the audience astonished.
- I was astonished to hear that she had won the award.
- The sudden turn of events left everyone in the room astonished.
- The beauty of the sunset was enough to astonish even the most jaded traveler.
- The news of the accident was so shocking that it left us all astonished.