bestürzen
Translation
to dismay, to appall, to disconcert
Examples
Die Nachricht von dem Unfall hat uns tief bestürzt.
The news of the accident dismayed us deeply.
Sein plötzlicher Tod bestürzte alle seine Freunde.
His sudden death appalled all his friends.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to dismay (sb.) The news dismayed him.
Similar Words
Synonyms: erschüttern, schockieren; Antonyms: erfreuen (to please), beruhigen (to calm)
Etymology
From the prefix 'be-' + 'stürzen' (to fall, to plunge). It metaphorically means to cause someone's spirits to 'plunge'.
Memory Tips
Imagine news so shocking it makes your heart 'stürzen' (plunge).