astonished 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstä-nisht How to pronounce astonished (audio)
Definition of astonishednext
1
as in amazed
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise was astonished at seeing a cow wandering down Main Street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wondering
filled with amazement or wonder grandparents astonished at how much their grandchildren had grown in the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

astonished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of astonish
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me

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 astonished
Adjective
One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026 Live, the 11-year-old actor shared his astonished reaction to getting the note. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
In Sheridan, the newish Le Reve Restaurant and Raw Bar astonished me first with its beautiful entrance, then with its indoor ambiance, decor and cuisine. — Irene Middleman Thomas, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026 The astonished looks on his team-mates’ faces would underline that fact. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astonished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonished
  1. amazed
  2. surprised
  3. stunned
  4. shocked
  5. bewildered
  6. startled
  7. horrified
Adjective
  • Researchers were amazed that Australia could stay bird-flu-free for six years.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Adamantium-tally our SEA officers were amazed to see this image roll across their X-ray screen.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazed
Adjective
  • So audiences may be surprised about his latest turn, playing a cheerful educator in the Old West with an affinity for the literary classics.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • One teammate who isn’t surprised at all about Martinez’s ironwoman status is Leah Romano.
    — Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprised
Verb
  • The dead child’s aunt was stunned to learn that the fire was caused by an e-bike battery.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The Chicago White Sox stunned the baseball world by announcing the hiring of Tony La Russa — who led the Sox to a division title in 1983 — as their new manager.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • Many attendees in the chambers appeared shocked and confused at the proposal for the new ordinance.
    — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The first thing a newborn baby touches upon entering the world is cloth—a towel or blanket wrapped around its shocked little body.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organize the festivities, told the BBC that Filer was somewhat bewildered by all the attention.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • Surveillance footage & evidence Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • Gomez, 67, recalled, watching as responding officers pulled a horrified boy from the car.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Greg O'Neill, 63, was swimming at Sorrento Beach in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia on Friday when the attack happened in front of horrified beachgoers.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrified

Browse Nearby Words

astonish
astonished
astonishes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astonished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonished. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quondam

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All