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
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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
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Recent Examples of astonishment
Garcia's clip has been viewed over a million times and over a thousand TikTok users have commented with a mix of astonishment and worry for her.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
The image was born after her September 2024 presidential debate against Trump, where Harris peered at her opponent with a look of astonishment.
—Raven Maragh-Lloyd, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
There’s a sad blankness to Shelly, who speaks in a high, urgent voice and stares at everyone with a look of astonishment.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
With classic filmmakers, a biography is a peek behind the scenes, whether a debunking or an astonishment—a view of the human element that made grand achievements possible.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for astonishment 
David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
The image was born after her September 2024 presidential debate against Trump, where Harris peered at her opponent with a look of astonishment.
—Raven Maragh-Lloyd, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
There’s a sad blankness to Shelly, who speaks in a high, urgent voice and stares at everyone with a look of astonishment.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
With classic filmmakers, a biography is a peek behind the scenes, whether a debunking or an astonishment—a view of the human element that made grand achievements possible.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for astonishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishment
Noun
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Sitting right next to her and looking up in amazement was her childhood cat.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Shivering South Floridians, young and old, looked to the sky in total amazement as tiny snowflakes landed on their faces.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Dreamy forests and bright angels curdle and mutate into digital grotesquerie, a Spam Folder of faceless creatures and shock shlock.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2025
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Hamilton, 40, got his first chance to drive Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season in a short shakedown test at its private test track in Italy on Wednesday following his shock winter move.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Dressed in a bespoke white tuxedo adorned with Schiaparelli’s iconic bronze dove brooch, a symbol of peace and artistic freedom, Dimash took to the stage like a maestro commanding both respect and admiration.—
SPIN Contributor,
SPIN,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This shouldn't come as that much of a surprise; Meta has been open about its plans to use data collected from its Quest VR headsets to improve its products.—
Will McCurdy,
PCMAG,
15 Feb. 2025
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This surprise promotion to first place saw rookie Gio Ruggiero impressively claim second place in his series debut.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Trump and Iran:anger, weariness, wonderment as Trump exits U.S. from nuclear deal A Trump plot by Iran?—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
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The performances are superlative, and, despite the grimness of the setting, the film is awash with the wonderment of childhood.—
Peter Rainer,
The Christian Science Monitor,
12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near astonishment
Cite this Entry
“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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