astonishment

American  

[uh-ston-ish-muhnt] / əˈstɒn ɪʃ mənt /

noun

1. overpowering wonder or surprise; amazement.

   He looked with astonishment at his friends.

2. an object or cause of amazement.

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astonishment British  

/ əˈstɒnɪʃmənt /

noun

1. extreme surprise; amazement

2. a cause of amazement

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Other Word Forms

• superastonishment noun

Etymology

Origin of astonishment

First recorded in 1570–80; astonish + -ment

Example Sentences

Much of the astonishment circles back to her age.

From Los Angeles Times

In Russia, onlookers including military personnel and the truck drivers themselves watched in astonishment as the parade of drones took to the skies.

From The Wall Street Journal

The self-deprecating Northern Irishman might have carried himself with a humble air of astonishment over these last few weeks, but his presence has been a PR and coaching masterstroke.

From BBC

"You know, 'it mustn't happen again. We cannot inflict this on our children'. There was astonishment, a shock realisation that the war had been so much more horrible than anyone had imagined it could be."

From BBC

He had a look of astonishment on his face and three empty Red Bull cans in his backpack.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amazement
• awe
• bewilderment
• confusion
• consternation
• wonderment