¹amaze

verb \ə-ˈmāz\

: to surprise and sometimes confuse (someone) very much : to fill (someone) with wonder

amazedamaz·ing

Full Definition of AMAZE

transitive verb

obsolete : bewilder, perplex

: to fill with wonder : astound

intransitive verb

: to show or cause astonishment

— amaz·ed·ly \-ˈmā-zəd-lē\ adverb

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Origin of AMAZE

Middle English amasen, from Old English āmasian, from ā- (perfective prefix) + *masian to confuse — more at abide

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to AMAZE

Synonyms: surprise, astonish, astound, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, thunderstrike

Synonym Discussion of AMAZE

surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel <surprised to find them at home>. astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible <a discovery that astonished the world>. astound stresses the shock of astonishment <too astounded to respond>. amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment <amazed by the immense size of the place>. flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay <flabbergasted by his angry refusal>.