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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

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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
The judge for Lam’s initial court appearance in Miami sounded astonished by a prosecutor’s summary of his lavish spending. — Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026 Related Stories While onstage before his new film bowed on the first night of the serene Colorado festival, Haigh seemed faintly astonished to be there at all. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 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
  • We were challenged, excited, amazed, and inspired during our unforgettable experiences around the country.
    — Sara Sturek, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Hard to find anybody who is not amazed by both his talent and his humility.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazed
Adjective
  • In an interview Wednesday with The Sacramento Bee, the bill’s author, Assemblymember Alex Lee, D-San Jose, said he was disappointed by the veto but wasn’t surprised.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Panthers this time, though, won’t be surprised if they’re rewarded for it.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprised
Verb
  • When Arisa proclaims herself a Faithful, Michael looks hilariously stunned, and Alan tells them to weep for the fall of innocence and the failure of justice.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • When the boss returns to the office vowing to send them all to jail, he is stunned to see the women have introduced job-sharing, flexible hours, and on-site child care.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • My conversations and research left me much less shocked at that statistic that had sent chills down my spine a few weeks prior.
    — Luba Kassova, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • There’ll still be conversations surrounding the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and most of us anticipate a lot of shocked reactions from those learning when our birthdays and wedding anniversaries take place.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Five o’clock Saturday, the Riverside Stadium and Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is fist-pumping a half-bewildered but fully enthused home crowd.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • When kids first got online, parents were bewildered and alarmed, but kids, who tend to gravitate to new technology, found freedom in a space that was basically ungoverned.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • Their approach startled the predator, who took off with the mother godwit in its claws.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • While holding Gnocchi, a large street cleaning truck whipped down the street and startled him into clawing away.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • 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
  • Their Bell helicopters collided midair, sending flaming wreckage above the heads of horrified drivers on the Pasadena Freeway.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrified

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Cite this Entry

“Astonished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonished. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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