Amaze
What it means
To cause such strong surprise or wonder that attention briefly stops.
Reach for it when describing an impressive result that exceeds normal expectation
The tiny choir continues to amaze visitors with its rich sound.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when brief, lively enthusiasm fits an informal audience
Careful Wow weakens the credibility of a serious evaluation.
-
everyday
astonish
Fits when the surprise should feel sudden and powerful
Careful Astonish can describe an unwelcome shock as readily as delight.
-
warm
Fits when pleasure matters more than disbelief
Careful A delightful result can be entirely expected.
-
professional
Fits when skill or quality earns considered approval
Careful Impress may involve no surprise at all.
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formal
astound
Fits when the scale of surprise deserves a forceful verb
Careful Astound sounds excessive for a modest personal compliment.
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formal
inspire awe
Fits when wonder should be joined with deep respect
Careful Awe is too solemn for a clever party trick.
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literary
take your breath away
Fits when beauty creates an intense physical-feeling response
Careful This image is melodramatic for a technical achievement.
Opposites 3
- bore
- underwhelm
- disappoint
Common phrases 3
-
never cease to amaze
Migrating swallows never cease to amaze the young naturalists.
-
amaze the audience
The final illusion will amaze the audience without frightening them.
-
continue to amaze
These resilient seedlings continue to amaze the research team.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated