astonished
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
- astonishedly adverb
- unastonished adjective
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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In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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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.
As cops breathed sighs of relief that he was an architect, those living in Massapequa "were astonished," Livoti said.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
I was astonished that he totally pulled it off and he’s such a true filmmaker.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
The development is expected to displace 130 bat roosts but Reform UK county councillor, Vernon Smith, said he was astonished by the cost of the project.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
He “converted his success at work straight into cash that he could lay on the table at home for the benefit of his astonished and delighted family.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
It was the last thing he said to me before he walked away, leaving me rooted, astonished, beside that grand chapel.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions 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.
