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
To my mom’s astonishment, Carol said the young woman is her granddaughter.
—
Pamela Chelin, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Cooper went on to express astonishment at Brown's ability to shrug off the initial insecurity but, ten years after the initial buzz cut, the actress is no stranger to defending herself against critics who comment on her appearance.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025
When a seemingly routine Oval Office press conference degenerated into a shouting match on 28 February, the world looked on in astonishment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2025
Most had never even heard of most of them and didn't seem at all embarrassed by that (despite the look of astonishment on their instructor's face).
—Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Pamela Chelin, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Cooper went on to express astonishment at Brown's ability to shrug off the initial insecurity but, ten years after the initial buzz cut, the actress is no stranger to defending herself against critics who comment on her appearance.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025
When a seemingly routine Oval Office press conference degenerated into a shouting match on 28 February, the world looked on in astonishment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2025
Most had never even heard of most of them and didn't seem at all embarrassed by that (despite the look of astonishment on their instructor's face).
—Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishment
Noun
-
To no one’s amazement, Shohei Ohtani homered triumphantly in the Tokyo Series.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
-
To our collective amazement, the RGB LEDs were able to create wholly recognizable color images.—
Ryan Waniata,
WIRED,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The college basketball world was in shock when USC Trojans women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team’s March Madness game against Mississippi State earlier this week.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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The reveal of David being a Survivor alum came as a shock to most of the eliminated DONDI contestants who were watching in the audience.—
Dana Rose Falcone,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Trump, in his first term, expressed a modicum of admiration while visiting what is affectionately called the Black Smithsonian.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
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The matching tattoos aren't just a stamp of admiration for the number.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The surprises throughout the series are sacred because that has largely been what makes The White Lotus so exciting for viewers to watch, Bernad adds.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The editors were well aware that this anointment would come as a surprise, something of a zag.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Abi is a special-needs child, and McConnell wanted to capture her wonderment at the world in a song.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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