astonishment

noun

ə-ˈstä-nish-mənt How to pronounce astonishment (audio)
Definition of astonishmentnext
1
as in amazement
the rapt attention and deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary the Midwesterner's astonishment at seeing the ocean for the first time

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2
as in shock
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual the suddenness of the thunderstorm left the picnickers in a state of astonishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of astonishment In her episode, Roan recreates the cover of her 2023 album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, all while going long about her influences and her astonishment at her meteoric rise to stardom. — James Factora, Them, 6 Feb. 2025 In fact, his age was a major contributor to the collective astonishment felt throughout the sport. — Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025 ProPublica has heard from dozens of voters who expressed astonishment and anger at state appeals court Judge Jefferson Griffin’s ongoing attempts to cancel their ballots. — Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 27 Jan. 2025 The state's parole board denied a request for release from prison by Susan Smith, convicted in 1995 of drowning her two young boys in a high-profile case that caused astonishment over a mother killing her own children. — Jason Alatidd, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishment
  1. amazement
  2. shock
  3. admiration
  4. surprise
  5. wonderment
Noun
  • To our collective amazement, the RGB LEDs were able to create wholly recognizable color images.
    — Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Nonetheless, the smoke continued to spread and to her amazement, Echo went to the refrigerator and got a bottle of water.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of amazement
Noun
  • Ukraine launched its shock incursion into Kursk in August, swiftly capturing territory in what was the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
  • However, as the camera pans around to take in all of the other Yellowjackets’ reactions, there’s a wide variety of emotions: Shauna is in shock.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of shock
Noun
  • In a sector like luxury, defined by tradition, exclusivity, and craftsmanship, the emergence of new technologies generates both admiration and concern.
    — Esade Business & Law School, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Cho has noted his admiration for the great early-twentieth-century French pianist Marcelle Meyer, whose Ravel recordings are unsurpassed.
    — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of admiration
Noun
  • There are plenty of people yelling at Google online about this because the devices remain hugely popular, and that's no surprise.
    — Ryan Whitwam, Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Through their discussion, Kantrowitz was proven right as the room filled with collective gasps of surprise and groans of frustration.
    — Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of surprise
Noun
  • Jon, meanwhile, holes up in his squalid quarters surrounded by takeout containers and dirty clothes while hooked onto a cheap-looking VR game that hardly inspires the wonderment in us it’s supposed to in him.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Compared to the Spider-Verse movies, there’s no wonderment at the visual ingenuity, and compared to X-Men ’97, there’s no ambitious subtext to be elevated to the surface.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Definition of wonderment

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“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of astonishment for Spanish Speakers

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