1
as in amazement
the rapt attention and deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary
the Midwesterner's astonishment at seeing the ocean for the first time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shock
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
the suddenness of the thunderstorm left the picnickers in a state of astonishment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of astonishment
Thinking back to the days leading up to the 2025 Daytona 500, Sarah Turner Wells shakes her head in astonishment.
—
Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Even with that success, two less-than-stellar seasons in 2022 and 2023 were all Titans leadership needed to show Vrabel the door, firing him after a 6-11 season to mild astonishment from around the league.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
In a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast — hosted by the wife of Stephen Miller, who currently serves as homeland security advisor to the White House — Kennedy expressed astonishment that the president is even alive.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Jan. 2026
As their conversation unfolds, Lomax’s astonishment that such a very young lady of high birth and seemingly no particular education would take an interest in affairs of state increases.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Even with that success, two less-than-stellar seasons in 2022 and 2023 were all Titans leadership needed to show Vrabel the door, firing him after a 6-11 season to mild astonishment from around the league.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
In a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast — hosted by the wife of Stephen Miller, who currently serves as homeland security advisor to the White House — Kennedy expressed astonishment that the president is even alive.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Jan. 2026
As their conversation unfolds, Lomax’s astonishment that such a very young lady of high birth and seemingly no particular education would take an interest in affairs of state increases.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishment
Noun
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When Adebayo hit his final two foul shots to reach 83 points, players shook their heads in amazement.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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The time and attention to detail afforded it by Lord and Miller suggest that the directors are as susceptible as any of us to that amazement, elevated by the moving solemnity and celestial dimensions of Daniel Pemberton’s beautiful score.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Now came the surprise of my effortful steps, the shock of how unyielding the dress’s shell was, as if I were being held in place by a firm hand.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
So the lack of parachutes in the KC-135, under this light, should not come as much of a shock.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Depending on the viewer, the video elicited either admiration, outrage or existential hand-wringing.—
Holly Willis,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
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His admiration for his countryman was evident in a Pritzker statement.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Stock the fridge, because surprise company might drop by.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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But many Oscar pundits abandoned ship, after Jordan pulled out a surprise win from the Actor Awards on March 1.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sophie’s wonderment at the ornate environment catches Benedict’s attention.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The American people this morning, George, are scratching their heads in wonderment and in fear of what the president has proposed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astonishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishment. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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