flabbergast

[ flab-er-gast ]
See synonyms for: flabbergastflabbergasted on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astound.

Origin of flabbergast

1
1765–75; variant of flabagast (perhaps flabb(y) + aghast)

Other words for flabbergast

Other words from flabbergast

  • flab·ber·gast·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flabbergast in a sentence

  • Defense Department officials were “flabbergasted” at the criticism about the limited size of the initial National Guard presence, noting that they provided exactly what Bowser requested, according to a senior defense official.

    Capitol breach prompts urgent questions about security failures | Carol D. Leonnig, Aaron Davis, Dan Lamothe, David Fahrenthold | January 7, 2021 | Washington Post
  • It's a flabbergasting coincidence, would make a cynic swear; but by Jove you've been reserved for good luck in the end.'

    Mrs. Severn, Vol. 1 (of 3) | Mary Elizabeth Carter
  • The trick lies in the tone-color—in the flabbergasting magic of the orchestration.

    Damn! | Henry Louis Mencken

British Dictionary definitions for flabbergast

flabbergast

/ (ˈflæbəˌɡɑːst) /


verb(tr)
  1. informal to overcome with astonishment; amaze utterly; astound

Origin of flabbergast

1
C18: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012