astounded

USAGE SUMMARY

"astounded" is a correct word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express extreme surprise or amazement. Example sentence: I was astounded to see how much the house had changed since I was last there.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I thought, "What is she going to make of me?" But she is a method actress and when I saw her on screen in those first shots when she arrives at the party I was just astounded.

The Guardian

Yet when we started advertising some of these facts on London Underground the reaction and subsequent debate astounded us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The new format has a gut-wrenching moment in tomorrow night's show, when a 16-year-old singer who astounded the judges in her first audition suffers an attack of stage fright when she has to perform before a packed stadium.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The implications and execution of these removals is fairly complicated, but it astounded me how much of the discussion – even off the back of clear and incisive commentary from James Ball on Wednesday – was characterised by a lazy refusal to engage with what's actually happening.

The Guardian - Tech

The public would be astounded if they were not.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The numbers of members of the clergy who have been in touch in the last few days to say it is about time somebody spoke out about these matters in a situation like you are, has astounded me".

The Guardian

What always astounded me was that, every time you went in, it looked like a different room: it could be in the round, it could be promenade.

The Guardian

Fridrich laments that so many cubers now use the same method – "It's all been optimized to death," she quipped – but is astounded by the speed of her heirs.

The Guardian - Tech

Speaking in Donegal at the weekend, Kenny said he was "astounded" by the response to his words.

The Guardian

Still, the power of decentralised collaboration astounded everyone.

The Economist

Most observers reckon that the pair fell out over VW's strategy but are astounded that the wily Mr Piëch (pictured, centre), a member of the family that controls the German carmaker, was forced to resign on April 25th, instead of pushing out Mr Winterkorn (pictured, right).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astounded" to convey a strong sense of surprise and amazement. It's more impactful than "surprised" and suitable for situations where the unexpectedness is significant.

Common error

While "astounded" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "surprised" or "amazed" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "astounded" is as an adjective, typically used to describe a state of being surprised or amazed. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples, showing its use to modify nouns and pronouns describing someone's reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astounded" is a versatile adjective used to express strong surprise or amazement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While generally acceptable in various contexts, including news and encyclopedias, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and choose a more suitable alternative like "surprised" or "amazed" if a casual tone is desired. The most frequent contexts where "astounded" appears are News & Media and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazed

A direct synonym, suggesting a feeling of great surprise and wonder.

astonished

Similar to "astounded" but can imply a greater degree of shock or disbelief.

flabbergasted

Implies being utterly speechless with surprise and bewilderment.

dumbfounded

Suggests being so surprised that one is temporarily unable to speak.

surprised

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

awestruck

Suggests being filled with a sense of reverence and wonder, often due to something grand or magnificent.

bewildered

Implies confusion and disorientation in addition to surprise.

taken aback

Suggests a sudden, jarring surprise that causes one to recoil slightly.

startled

A sudden, often slight, surprise, sometimes accompanied by a physical reaction.

impressed

Highlights the positive aspect of surprise, suggesting admiration or respect.

FAQs

How do you use "astounded" in a sentence?

You can use "astounded" to describe someone's reaction to something surprising or amazing. For example, "I was astounded by the beauty of the landscape."

What can I say instead of "astounded"?

You can use alternatives like "amazed", "astonished", or "surprised" depending on the context.

Is "astounded" a formal word?

"Astounded" is more formal than words like "surprised" or "amazed" but is acceptable in news, encyclopedias, and other media.

What's the difference between "astounded" and "astonished"?

While both words express great surprise, "astonished" can sometimes imply a slightly stronger sense of shock or disbelief than "astounded".