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 Suzuki’s amazement, Yamagami’s single violent act began to achieve what decades of his own muckraking had not. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

Many prominent sports figures took to social media to express their amazement of Indiana's unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

Just like my star-bathing ritual, snow-watching elicits that sense of calm and amazement. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025

To their amazement and surprise, about 30 teenagers between Endurant Club and PALS had planned and mapped out the entire event. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 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