astonishment

USAGE SUMMARY

'astonishment' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong feeling of surprise or wonderment. For example: When they saw the incredible fireworks display, they were filled with astonishment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also poured derision on the Republican letter in a statement expressing astonishment that members of Congress would seek to undermine a US administration by writing directly to a foreign power, and suggesting that the letter's authors had much to learn about international and even US law.

The Guardian

To his astonishment, the garden was lined with fully grown trees.

The Guardian

Dear Doctor, My mate M, to the astonishment of those who know him, has just been made a justice of the peace.

The Guardian - Music

And if it's self-conscious spectatorship you want then, Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained work just as effectively to break the fourth wall as any Haneke film, rocking audience members back in their seat, first with laughter, then a stunned astonishment at their own reaction: I'm laughing at this?

The Guardian - Film

She looked around in astonishment that there could be any kind of celebration after her baby had died.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To my genuine astonishment, I too find life is fine with only the essentials and what's in those boxes has become a mystery to me, although not an intriguing one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When he finished, Margaret piped up, to my astonishment, and said: "No, it hasn't been like that at all, President Mitterrand.

The Guardian

Jean Pitt-Lewis watched in astonishment a documentary that year, the first, presented by Ludovic Kennedy, and shouted at the screen: "No, no, no!" However, her mother phoned, ecstatic, to say: "Now at last I know what you were doing".

The Guardian

When a friend, a northerner who has lived in the republic for nearly 25 years, heard that the cuts included the end of Ireland's traditional Christmas bonus for those on social welfare his reaction was one of astonishment.

The Guardian

But it would give a different sheen to the astonishment that follows some winner's triumph, or to some nominees' reactions to losing.

The Guardian - Music

I recently had my bag searched by airport security at Heathrow, and watched with astonishment as the young woman took my packet of Always and carefully hid it under books.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "astonishment" with descriptive adjectives (e.g., "genuine astonishment", "utter astonishment") to enhance the intensity of the emotion being described.

Common error

Avoid using "astonishment" when a simpler expression like "surprise" or "amazement" would be more appropriate. "Astonishment" implies a significant emotional impact, so reserve it for situations that truly warrant such a strong reaction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "astonishment" is as a noun. It represents a state of mind, specifically a feeling of great surprise and wonder. As Ludwig AI confirms, "astonishment" is a correct and usable word in written English, often used to describe a strong emotion triggered by unexpected events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonishment" is a grammatically sound noun used to express a strong feeling of surprise and wonder. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the word is valid and suitable for various writing contexts. Its usage is very common, particularly in news, formal business, and scientific domains. While its semantic range includes words like "amazement", "wonder", and "surprise", it implies a more significant emotional impact. When writing, remember to reserve "astonishment" for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong reaction to avoid diminishing its impact. The top authoritative sources, according to examples on Ludwig, include The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazement

Indicates a high degree of surprise and wonder, closely related to "astonishment".

flabbergasted

An informal term for being utterly amazed or astonished.

wonder

Implies a feeling of awe and admiration, often mixed with surprise.

surprise

A more general term for feeling unexpectedness; less intense than "astonishment".

awe

Suggests a profound respect and reverence, often triggered by something grand or powerful.

stupefaction

Suggests being mentally stunned or overwhelmed.

shock

Indicates a sudden and disturbing surprise.

disbelief

Suggests an inability to accept something as true or real.

bewilderment

Implies confusion and disorientation due to something unexpected.

consternation

Suggests anxiety or dismay, often in reaction to something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "astonishment" in a sentence?

You can use "astonishment" to describe a state of great surprise or amazement, for example: "To my great astonishment, she accepted my proposal." or "The audience watched in astonishment as the magician performed his tricks".

What are some synonyms for "astonishment"?

Synonyms for "astonishment" include "amazement", "wonder", "surprise", and "awe". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "astonishment" a formal word?

"Astonishment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to be more common in written language and formal speech. In casual conversation, simpler words like "surprise" or "amazement" might be preferred.

What is the difference between "astonishment" and "surprise"?

"Surprise" is a general term for feeling unexpectedness. "Astonishment" is a stronger emotion that combines surprise with a sense of wonder or disbelief.