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
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Recent Examples of astonishment
In the fall of 2016, the editors of The New Yorker published an enthusiastic endorsement of Hillary Clinton:
On November 8th, barring some astonishment, the people of the United States will, after two hundred and forty years, send a woman to the White House.
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The Editors, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024
The two travelers from New Orleans touched their fingers to the reddish-orange chile powder on a napkin, put it on their tongues, and then looked at each other in astonishment.
—John Burnett, NPR, 21 Sep. 2024
Still, Hudson is like every mother, catching herself staring at her now teenager in astonishment.
—Essence, 19 Sep. 2024
Twilley’s book is full of remarkable reasons to find astonishment in what the refrigerator has wrought.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for astonishment 
The Editors, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024
The two travelers from New Orleans touched their fingers to the reddish-orange chile powder on a napkin, put it on their tongues, and then looked at each other in astonishment.
—John Burnett, NPR, 21 Sep. 2024
Still, Hudson is like every mother, catching herself staring at her now teenager in astonishment.
—Essence, 19 Sep. 2024
Twilley’s book is full of remarkable reasons to find astonishment in what the refrigerator has wrought.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for astonishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishment
Noun
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TikTok viewers expressed their own amazement and fear of the scene in the viral clip.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
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Brown was mobbed by his teammates, while the Commanders sideline sprinted onto the field in amazement and shock, including head coach Dan Quinn.Scott Thompson, Fox News, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Each insole features a shock absorbing cork material, a deep heel cup to stabilize your foot, a natural foam for cushioning and custom arch support.Maya Gandara, StyleCaster, 20 Nov. 2024
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While these types of shocks tend to have little long-lasting impact on equity markets, Wall Street continues to be wary of the far-reaching effects of geopolitics.Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Wiley has long been explicit about the erotic aspects of his work and the often fine line that separates admiration and exploitation.Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
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Binoche took the stage and thanked the Thessaloniki Film Festival organizers and shared her admiration for Greece’s rich history.Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Miserable road record in McDaniel era The Dolphins dropped another big road game, which shouldn’t be a surprise.Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
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And although the finding that cheese didn’t lead to a glucose spike wasn’t a huge surprise, there were a few other readings that were interesting.Meg Tirrell, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But there is one perennial tradition that conjures winter wonderment just as well: ice skating in the city’s Union Square.Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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Again, Adams brings that right mix of tenderness and annoyance, between holy wonderment and existential boredom.Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near astonishment
Cite this Entry
“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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