astonishment
Americannoun
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overpowering wonder or surprise; amazement.
He looked with astonishment at his friends.
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an object or cause of amazement.
noun
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extreme surprise; amazement
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a cause of amazement
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of astonishment
Explanation
Astonishment is what you feel when you're extremely surprised. If a cat stood up and recited the Preamble to the Constitution, you’d stare in astonishment. Astonishment is the feeling of being blown away and shocked by something. It’s the noun form of astonish, which is a verb meaning, basically “to have your mind blown.” A professional magician aims to create astonishment. A basketball player who hits every three-point shot might make fans feel astonishment. Many people feel astonishment when looking at something like the Grand Canyon. This is a strong word that shouldn't refer to minor surprises. True astonishment is rare.
Vocabulary lists containing astonishment
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
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"The Bet" by Anton Chekhov
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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.
To their initial astonishment, they have attracted a far wider viewership spanning all ages, even followers who hitherto had only scant interest in ballet.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
"I had seen the fjord and notable mountain features in the satellite images, but being there in person filled me with astonishment at what had happened."
From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026
A mountain rescue team has spoken of its astonishment after more than £38,000 was raised after it settled an unpaid hotel bill for two walkers.
From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026
The remarks were met with astonishment, in particular from European allies, several of which suffered numerous casualties during the war which lasted between 2001 and 2021.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
A sunburnt, overgrown candidate for confirmation gazes at me in astonishment.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
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.
