as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the flabbergasting sight of the mess that the teens had left in the kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
your decision to suddenly quit your job flabbergasts me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flabbergasting
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Dohnányi, after no end of rigorous rehearsal, obtained a collective sound of unreal, flabbergasting clarity.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flabbergasting
Adjective
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Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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For one of them to celebrate a career-first win Sunday wouldn’t be all that surprising.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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The five-acre private villa estate offers nine startling low-slung beach villas which sit harmoniously in a coconut grove on an undeveloped stretch of volcanic beach on the northern shores.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The best examples are his stunning goals against Atletico Madrid and Brighton & Hove Albion.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Traditional-style longboats cruise the rivers while skyscrapers with rooftop bars offer stunning views of the temples at night.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trade shocking shades like neon green and chartreuse for timeless shades of green that inspire a rejuvenating feel in the morning and a calming atmosphere in the evening.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
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The payments were introduced following a 2024 assassination attempt on Fico, who was shot and gravely wounded at a pre-election event, shocking the small country and reverberating across Europe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Head there for a quieter gape at the astonishing mortar-free construction.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Overall, this is astonishing work.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flabbergasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flabbergasting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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