astonishment

[uh-ston-ish-muhnt]

noun

1. overpowering wonder or surprise; amazement.

   He looked with astonishment at his friends.

2. an object or cause of amazement.

astonishment

/ əˈstɒnɪʃmənt /

noun

1. extreme surprise; amazement

2. a cause of amazement

Other Word Forms

• superastonishment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonishment¹

First recorded in 1570–80; astonish + -ment

Example Sentences

I finished both movies double-checking my watch in astonishment that they really were under an hour and a half.

From Los Angeles Times

For real — not like the astonishment Zoë Kravitz feigned in a Golden Globes-set episode of “The Studio,” faking disbelief at the podium when she knew all along that she was going to win.

From Los Angeles Times

Forbes said she listened with "absolute astonishment" to reports that the UK government wanted to cut the recruitment of overseas care workers.

From BBC

You find yourself laughing over a montage of fresh-faced zoomers trying their hand at lyrics like “You can never quarantine the past,” and then you might admit, with equal astonishment, that it actually sounds great.

From Los Angeles Times

His exuberant, color-saturated installation serves up an abundance of beauty, awe, astonishment and fun.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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