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
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
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Recent Examples of astonished
Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
And the writer’s astonished eyes answer: yes, that was me.
—Jayson Greene, Time, 17 June 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonished
Adjective
Attendees in East London were likely astonished to see their monarch at the festival, much like how Austinites would be starstruck by a glimpse of Matthew McConaughey.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
And the writer’s astonished eyes answer: yes, that was me.
—Jayson Greene, Time, 17 June 2025
Verb
Truffaut had astonished the 1959 Cannes Film Festival with The 400 Blows, as had Alain Resnais with the monumental Hiroshima Mon Amour.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonished
Adjective
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Jimmy Fallon was amazed that Charles said that to Kelce, and not just because the 6-foot-5 Kelce could have pounded the actor into a pulp.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
All those economic experts will be amazed.—
William W Bedsworth,
Oc Register,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Babz didn’t have much to worry about, as the Patriots surprised him with a 14-3 record, claiming the AFC East title.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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Lucy Dacus surprised fans by bringing out Chappell Roan during a benefit concert for Sudan and Palestine relief efforts in Los Angeles.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Farley, who looks stunned, examines it.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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The woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis was a loving mother, a poet and a partner whose family – along with neighbors across her stunned city and strangers far beyond – is shocked by the circumstances surrounding her death.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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Instead, a bewildered stranger answers the door.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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You’d be shocked to see how little (or how much) some of the more popular backpacks are capable of handling.—
Adam Trenkamp,
Outside,
11 Jan. 2026
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Local senior living residents also told WESH that they were shocked to learn about the case, as the community had felt safe in the past.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Yang plays Kieran Culkin’s stand-in, his arms nightmarishly chainsawed off as Ashley Padilla’s Catherine O’Hara equivalent lets out a series of horrified shrieks.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Dec. 2025
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Then her old, extremely offensive X posts resurfaced—and the buzz turned to horrified backlash.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities in southern Colorado are investigating after a sudden explosion damaged a building and startled nearby residents.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Leibfried was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in the building and was startled by a loud bang that emanated from the closed door of an apartment.—
Peter Passi,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astonished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonished. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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