Basic Details
Word: Astonish
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To surprise someone very much; to amaze.
Synonyms: Astound, amaze, shock
Antonyms: Bore, calm, placate
Idioms and Phrases
- To astonish everyone: To surprise all the people involved. Example: "Her incredible performance in the play astonished everyone in the audience."
- Astonishing turn of events: A surprising change in a situation. Example: "The astonishing turn of events in the story left the readers eager for the next chapter."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The magicians tricks always astonish the crowd, leaving them in disbelief.
Example 2: It will astonish you to learn that some animals can see in the dark.
Example 3: His ability to solve complex puzzles in seconds astonished all of his classmates.
Fun Fact
The word "astonish" comes from the Middle English word "astone", which means "to stun or strike down." It evolved from Old French "estoner" and has been used in English since the 14th century.
Famous Quote
"The greatest science in the world; in heaven and on earth; is love." A. S. Byatt, which reminds us that the capacity to astonish often lies in understanding and expressing our emotions in remarkable ways.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "astonish" mean?
a) To annoy
b) To explain
c) To surprise very much
d) To ignore
Answer: c) To surprise very much
2. Which of these is a synonym of "astonish"?
a) Bore
b) Amaze
c) Calm
d) Tolerate
Answer: b) Amaze
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "astonish"?
a) Shock
b) Astound
c) Bore
d) Amaze
Answer: c) Bore
4. Which sentence uses "astonish" correctly?
a) The news astonished the team during their lunch break.
b) He was astonish by the movie's ending.
c) The dog astonish the cat in the park.
d) She astonish her homework last night.
Answer: a) The news astonished the team during their lunch break.
5. Which idiom refers to surprising everyone?
a) A stitch in time saves nine
b) Astonishing turn of events
c) As clear as mud
d) Break the ice
Answer: b) Astonishing turn of events
