amazement

noun

amaze·​ment ə-ˈmāz-mənt 

1

: a feeling of astonishment : the quality or state of being amazed

was filled with amazement by what he saw

She stared at him in amazement.

2

: something that causes astonishment : something that is amazing

… the amazements that are turning up in physics each year …

—Lewis Thomas

3

obsolete : consternation, bewilderment

Synonyms of amazement

• astonishment
• admiration
• wonderment
• wonder

Examples of amazement in a Sentence

The crowd watched in amazement as the magician performed his tricks.

Much to the amazement of her family, she left school to pursue her acting career.

Recent Examples on the Web

To my amazement, the quality of the vase was flawless. —PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025

Li narrated the moment in real time, expressing her amazement as the cat settled directly between her legs. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Here, much to the amazement of onlookers, sacrificial animals such as bulls would drop dead after breathing in noxious carbon dioxide fumes swirling up from below. —Barry Neild, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

Much to Altshuler’s amazement, Time was willing to consider it, but not if the Newsweek cover was going forward. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

amaze entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing amazement

• to one's amazement

Rhymes for amazement

• reappraisement
• appraisement

Kids Definition

amazement

noun

amaze·​ment ə-ˈmāz-mənt 

: great surprise or astonishment