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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Noun
-
After two years, to their amazement, electricity to the village had been restored.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Several years ago, many of us shared amazement when the State’s current owners, Red and Linda McMonagle, reopened the movie house after an extensive remodeling.—
Doug Hanneman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
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
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
Noun
-
There will be no surprises entering the 2025 season.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
-
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share