1
as in amazement
the rapt attention and deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary
the Midwesterner's astonishment at seeing the ocean for the first time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shock
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
the suddenness of the thunderstorm left the picnickers in a state of astonishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of astonishment
The state's parole board denied a request for release from prison by Susan Smith, convicted in 1995 of drowning her two young boys in a high-profile case that caused astonishment over a mother killing her own children.
—
Jason Alatidd, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
One of them shouted, her tone a combination of teasing and astonishment.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 25 Sep. 2024
The 30-second spot showcases Eugene Levy in a hilarious, jaw-dropping moment of astonishment where the irresistible flavor of Crazy Puffs causes his iconic eyebrows to comically disappear.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
The announcement shocked the NBA world, with many of the league’s top players taking to social media to express their astonishment.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Jason Alatidd, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
One of them shouted, her tone a combination of teasing and astonishment.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 25 Sep. 2024
The 30-second spot showcases Eugene Levy in a hilarious, jaw-dropping moment of astonishment where the irresistible flavor of Crazy Puffs causes his iconic eyebrows to comically disappear.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
The announcement shocked the NBA world, with many of the league’s top players taking to social media to express their astonishment.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishment
Noun
-
Several years ago, many of us shared amazement when the State’s current owners, Red and Linda McMonagle, reopened the movie house after an extensive remodeling.—
Doug Hanneman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Out of these mixings will come magnificent horrors and amazements.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Hamilton, 40, got his first chance to drive Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season in a short shakedown test at its private test track in Italy on Wednesday following his shock winter move.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Dreamy forests and bright angels curdle and mutate into digital grotesquerie, a Spam Folder of faceless creatures and shock shlock.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Dressed in a bespoke white tuxedo adorned with Schiaparelli’s iconic bronze dove brooch, a symbol of peace and artistic freedom, Dimash took to the stage like a maestro commanding both respect and admiration.—
SPIN Contributor,
SPIN,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The free celebrations kick off daily at 2pm with live entertainment, festive surprises and special hurricane cocktails available for purchase.—
Madalyn Mendoza,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
-
This approach kept everyone aligned and reduced the risk of surprises late in the project.—
Navdeep Malik,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Compared to the Spider-Verse movies, there’s no wonderment at the visual ingenuity, and compared to X-Men ’97, there’s no ambitious subtext to be elevated to the surface.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Trump and Iran:anger, weariness, wonderment as Trump exits U.S. from nuclear deal A Trump plot by Iran?—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share