Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flabbergast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flabbergast are amaze, astonish, astound, and surprise. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

When would amaze be a good substitute for flabbergast?

The words amaze and flabbergast can be used in similar contexts, but amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is astonish a more appropriate choice than flabbergast?

The meanings of astonish and flabbergast largely overlap; however, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When might astound be a better fit than flabbergast?

While in some cases nearly identical to flabbergast, astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

Where would surprise be a reasonable alternative to flabbergast?

In some situations, the words surprise and flabbergast are roughly equivalent. However, surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flabbergast Basic logistical failures like fuel shortages stalled Russian efforts within the first week of the invasion, showing a level of unpreparedness in Moscow’s ranks that flabbergasted Western defense officials. Fox News, 24 Feb. 2023 Fedotowsky remembers being flabbergasted and confused by the exchange. Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 30 Mar. 2023 One of the company’s researchers, Jules Silverman, plucked several roaches from a Gainesville apartment—and was flabbergasted to find that the insects were no longer tempted by Combat’s corn syrup and instead scuttled away in disgust. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2023 His words rolled across the bottom of the screen in Arabic while men in djellabas, flabbergasted by the spectacle, sat transfixed beside their hookahs. Nina Burleigh, The New Republic, 17 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for flabbergast 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flabbergast
Verb
  • Severe geomagnetic storm sparks stunning northern lights across US (photos) Don Pettit sees petite Dawn descending Monday, September 16, 2024: NASA astronaut Don Pettit has amazed us again with another outstanding photo.
    Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Ben Böhmer - Bloom Composer and producer Ben Böhmer amazes with Bloom.
    Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Over the past few years, the strength of the U.S. economy and the job market have surprised almost everyone.
    PAUL WISEMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
  • A lot of people are surprised a 62-year-old man can see the positive side of screen time.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The revelation shocks everyone on the trip, leading Praveena to pack her bags and Juliana to break up with Yuri.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Removing too much of the plant can shock it and stunt its growth.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Many owners have been astonished to see just how calm and well-behaved their pup is when there's no one else at home.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
  • All of us were astonished by the scene outside the window: Flames from the not-too-distant mountains had climbed down almost to the valley floor.
    Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Joao Fonseca of Brazil, 18, stunned No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the first round after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals title last month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The Dallas Cowboys stunned the NFL world when it was announced that the team had chosen to move on from Mike McCarthy as head coach.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The most recent superintendent was basically run out of the job in June after startling dysfunction in the central administration was uncovered.
    Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
  • More on Axios: PR's misguided metrics Israeli intelligence sees growing chance Assad's forces collapse in Syria Israeli intelligence officials have been startled by a faster-than-expected collapse of the Syrian army's defense lines over the last 24 hours, two senior Israeli officials tell Axios.
    Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near flabbergast

Cite this Entry

“Flabbergast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flabbergast. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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