astonishers

Noun

astonisher (plural astonishers)

1. Something that astonishes; an astonishing thing or event.
   • (colloquial)

   Synonyms:

   astonishment, marvel, surprise, wonder, shocker, stunner

2. Someone who astonishes.
   • […] God, before whom all Nations are as nothing, thou Astonisher of all Flesh, thou art even too Wonderful for me,1675, William Bayly, “The Life of Enoch again Revived”, in A Collection of the Several Wrightings of […] William Bayly, published 1676, page 146
3. (US) An exclamation mark, the punctuation mark “!”.
   • “ […] Nothing whatever” ! (the italics are “S. S. C.’s,” the “astonisher” is mine.)1874, The American Observer, New Series, Volume 1, “Rejoinder,” p. 525
4. (US) A short line of smaller type above (or sometimes below) the main headline of an article, usually placed flush-left.

   Synonyms:

   kicker, overline, read-in, whiplash

5. A headline or lead (introductory paragraph) designed to capture attention through a surprising statement.
   • He reveled in socking the reader right in the eye with an “astonisher.”1969, Shandy Hill, chapter 17, in Dear Sir: You Cur, Philadelphia: Whitmore Publishing, page 119

   Synonyms:

   cartridge lead, punch lead, shocker lead