astound
UK: əˈstaʊnd | US: əˈstaʊnd
vt. to overwhelm with amazement or shock
vt. to astonish greatly
The word "astound" originates from the Middle English "astounen," which combined the intensive prefix "a-" (meaning "thoroughly") with "stound," derived from Old English "stunian" (meaning "to strike" or "to stun"). Over time, "astound" evolved to convey the sense of being struck with overwhelming surprise or amazement, retaining its core idea of a powerful impact—now emotional rather than physical.
The magician's trick astounded the entire audience.
She was astounded by the sudden news of her promotion.
The sheer scale of the ancient ruins astounds visitors.
His ability to solve complex problems quickly astounds his colleagues.
The child's artistic talent astounded the judges.