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 Words From

• super·as·tonish·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonishment¹

First recorded in 1570–80; astonish + -ment

Example Sentences

On Thursday, multiple Democrats stood to speak against the bill in both House and Senate, many expressing astonishment at the Republican argument that the measure would improve the voter experience.

From Washington Post

As Truffles approached me on an overhanging branch, my unsentimental friend remarked with astonishment that the animal clearly knew me.

From Washington Post

Much to our collective astonishment, Chris ended up joining the military.

From Ozy

It's the right mix of news reporting, astonishment and outrage.

From Washington Post

In March of 2020 I watched in astonishment and fear as the pandemic reached my state, the numbers of infected persons increasing in real time as our hospital scrambled to respond.

From Nautilus

To his astonishment, the driver found the gate open; guards already had abounded the border post.

From The Daily Beast

What astonishment that such beauty urges me into bed for a nightlong sweaty roll in tangled sheets.

From The Daily Beast

His friend stares in astonishment at Soyinka, who seems unperturbed.

From The Daily Beast

The frustrating thing here is the astonishment over it all, over the Iggy Azalea phenomenon.

From The Daily Beast

Now in her 70's, living in Ontario, Feld Carr tells the story with a delightful sense of astonishment that it ever took place.

From The Daily Beast

Georgie now, to her astonishment, found her movements invariably chronicled in the society journals.

From Project Gutenberg

It was considerably to Justice Haggard's astonishment that he heard of the invitation to his son and his son's wife.

From Project Gutenberg

Marcella stood all this while, leaning against the tapestry, in a silent astonishment of thought and feeling.

From Project Gutenberg

Lucy clapped her hands with delight, her more staid cousin was rapt in pleased astonishment.

From Project Gutenberg

The bridge that spanned it had, to Harry's astonishment, been only partially destroyed; it could easily be crossed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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