Is astonish formal or informal?

What's the difference between astonish and amaze?

How is astonish different from amaze?

Can I use astonish in writing?

Can I use astonish in writing tasks?

Is astonish a common word in academic English?

Is astonish common in academic English?

← Dictionary

astonish

/əˈstɒn.ɪʃ/

IELTSAcademic

verb

Surprise greatly; amaze.

The magic show astonished the children.
She astonished us with her quick recovery.
This news astonished the team.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: astonish is stronger than amaze and more formal than surprise. Use astonish for striking impact, amaze for wonder, and surprise for everyday sudden events.

In other languages

Spanish: Asombrar
Japanese: びっくりさせる
Korean: 놀라게 하다
Vietnamese: Khoảng ngợp
Chinese: 使惊讶

Common phrases

astonish the audienceastonish the expertsdoes not astonish me

Synonyms

amaze astound surprise startle shock

Frequently asked questions

Is astonish formal or informal?: Is astonish formal or informal?
What's the difference between astonish and amaze?: How is astonish different from amaze?
Can I use astonish in writing?: Can I use astonish in writing tasks?
Is astonish a common word in academic English?: Is astonish common in academic English?