Thesaurus results for FLABBERGAST

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

flabbergast

verb

ˈfla-bər-ˌgast

Definition of flabbergast next

as in to amaze

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected your decision to suddenly quit your job flabbergasts me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Costco continues to amaze both with price and with entertainment and all my Costco’s are a blast to shop at.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
Instead, the boy was creating short films using action figures, adding voice-over narration, and displaying a level of creativity that amazed his mother.

— J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025