FLABBERGASTING Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

flabbergasting 1 of 2

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flabbergasting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of flabbergast

as in amazing

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

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Example 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 flabbergasting

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

The claim that mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in mental health disorders as well as physical ones is surprising to many people.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus works to make Polly relatable, a surprising choice for one of television’s most astringent comic presences.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of surprising

Adjective

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Holcomb combines a startling precociousness with a moxie that has already shattered expectations.

— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
While the numbers are startling, Ohtani's at-bats suggest something isn't right.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of startling

Verb

Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026

Definition of stunning

Adjective

The series is notorious for its shocking plot twists (many of which bring dramatic, fatal ends to important characters).

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2026
Bajaria is said to have attended the town hall that Head of Scripted, UCAN Jinny Howe held Wednesday afternoon amid the layoffs, making her exit today feel abrupt and shocking to staffers.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocking

Verb

Less than a month after astonishing the world with its solution to the long-standing Navier-Stokes problem, OpenAI has released 722 maths papers, proving or disproving problems across numerous fields from algebraic geometry to number theory.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026
Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.

— Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of astonishing

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flabbergasted

flabbergasting

flabbergasts

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“Flabbergasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flabbergasting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flabbergasting

adjective

verb

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