astonished
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of astonished
First recorded in 1510–20, for an earlier sense; astonish + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective sense; astonish + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Explanation
If you are astonished, you're feeling the emotional punch of a huge surprise. If you've lived in the city your whole life, the first night you spend in the desert staring at billions of stars will leave you astonished. Astonished is the adjective form of the verb astonish, which comes from old Anglo-Norman for a blow to the head. We use it now for much more positive feelings, when we are stunned by awe and admiration, and not stunned from being hit in the head with a bat! Synonyms are amazed and astounded.
Vocabulary lists containing astonished
Emotions on Display
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He gave plate umpire Roberto Ortiz an astonished look and walked to the dugout shaking his head.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
The result astonished him and many observers of Kenyan politics – by the time the registration period ended, 2.6 million new voters across the country had signed up.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Isaiah Berlin called Alexander Herzen “a Russian Voltaire,” who astonished his 19th- century audiences with a “prodigal opulence of intellect.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
First reported by Derry Now, external, Laura said doctors were astonished when she was born with the condition in 1998.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
Alex pulled with all his strength and was astonished when his leg came free.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
