verb
astonish
uh-STAHN-ish/əˈstɑːnɪʃ/
To surprise someone greatly.
The enormous bouquet astonishes the woman's friend as the cloth lifts away.
Etymology
The “out” and “thunder” elements evoke leaving someone thunderstruck. The earlier meaning “stun or strike senseless” shifted to overwhelming someone with surprise or wonder.
In context
and shallow spirits who inconsiderately assume the task of writing history thus the secret Springs of events remain hidden from us the fall of Empires and the transmission of dominions astonish us
More examples
- Her sudden resignation astonished the committee.
- It still astonishes me how quickly the garden grows.
- The magician keeps astonishing audiences with a simple deck of cards.
Forms
astonish · astonishes · astonished · astonishing
astonishment noun — A feeling of very great surprise.