astonish -
To surprise or impress (someone) greatly
The audience was astonished by the amazing fireworks display at the end of the concert.
adjective
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dumbfounded -
So shocked that you cannot speak
The US public was dumbfounded when the stock market crashed on October 29, 1929.
noun
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anticlimax -
A situation where the outcome is much less dramatic than expected.
The final scene was such an anticlimax after all the suspense, that the audience was very disappointed.
adjective
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unthinkable -
So out of the ordinary that it cannot be imagined as possible
When Genghis Khan was born in 1162, it was unthinkable that someone from his nomadic tribe could conquer most of the known world - but that is what he did.
verb
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astound -
To cause others to be very surprised or shocked
The American public was astounded by the revelations about Watergate that were revealed by Woodward and Bernstein in the Washington Post.
verb
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startle -
To cause a person or animal to feel sudden shock or alarm
The speeding car startled Victor, and he had just enough time to jump out of the way.
noun
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mystery -
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain, a person or thing that arouses curiosity or wonder because it is unknown or puzzling.
The cause of the strange noise in the attic remains a mystery.
adjective
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untimely -
Not happening at a useful or expected time.
The serious and untimely injury of the tennis star forced him to quit sports.
noun
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discrepancy -
A difference between two things that are expected to be the same.
Her story had a major discrepancy that made the police suspicious.
adjective
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aghast -
Struck with shock, amazement, or horror
When the Stevens family returned home from their two week vacation, they were aghast to find that loads of stray cats were living in their house.
adjective
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dumbstruck -
So shocked or surprised as to be unable to speak.
When Bill heard on the phone that the storm had destroyed his summer house, he was dumbstruck, and didn't know how to respond.
adjective
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telltale -
Revealing or indicating something hidden or secret, showing the inner nature of something.
The telltale clouds of smoke hinted at a fire nearby.
