profound astonishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound astonishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep or intense feeling of surprise or amazement in various contexts, such as literature, speeches, or personal reflections. Example: "Upon hearing the news of her unexpected promotion, she was filled with profound astonishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The critical reception accorded to Swordfishtrombones included much profound astonishment, and Waits's songwriting peers sitting up and taking notice, too.

The Guardian - Music

I had trouble explaining; he didn't get it, but then suddenly he saw it, too, and he let out a cry of profound astonishment.

The New Yorker

"The foreign ministry expressed to the government of Israel, via its ambassador in Mexico, its profound astonishment, rejection and disappointment over Prime Minister Netanyahu's message," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Levi registers the same astonishment when first hit by a German officer — "a profound amazement: how can one strike a man without anger?" Or when, driven by thirst, he breaks off an icicle only to have it snatched away by a guard.

The New Yorker

Levi registers the same astonishment when first hit by a German officer—"a profound amazement: how can one strike a man without anger?" Or when, driven by thirst, he breaks off an icicle only to have it snatched away by a guard.

The New Yorker

I stood in awe and wonder, reverence and astonishment, elation and perplexity; a profound sadness and an irresistible smile of infinite joy took possession of me simultaneously in a moment that seemed to last for ever.

Independent

And in the brilliance of that night, and in the profoundest silence I'd ever heard, I took one disbelieving look and shrieked -- simply yowled out my astonishment, and the howl went echoing across those bottomless convolutions that could not possibly exist outside of dreams.

The New York Times - Travel

"Total astonishment.

The New Yorker

Milosevic feigned astonishment: "Me?

Independent

Astonishment dried her tears.

The New Yorker

The boy registered astonishment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound astonishment" to describe situations where surprise is mixed with a sense of awe, disbelief, or deep emotional impact. This phrase is suitable for conveying strong reactions to unexpected events or revelations.

Common error

Avoid using "profound astonishment" in everyday situations where a simpler expression like "surprise" or "amazement" would suffice. The intensity of "profound astonishment" is best reserved for truly significant or extraordinary circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound astonishment" functions as a noun phrase, where "profound" modifies the noun "astonishment". It denotes a state of being deeply surprised or amazed, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound astonishment" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that expresses a deep sense of surprise and amazement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct. While relatively rare, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting its use in describing significant events. To ensure effective communication, reserve "profound astonishment" for situations that warrant a strong emotional response. Consider alternatives like "deep amazement" or "intense surprise" based on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolute astonishment

Focuses on the completeness and totality of the astonishment experienced.

deep amazement

Replaces "astonishment" with a direct synonym, focusing on the depth of feeling.

intense surprise

Substitutes "astonishment" with "surprise", highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of the feeling.

profound surprise

Switches the adjective from "astonishment" to "surprise", maintaining the same level of intensity.

sheer amazement

Emphasizes the purity and unadulterated nature of the amazement.

utter disbelief

Emphasizes the inability to accept something as true, a component of extreme astonishment.

astounding surprise

Uses a more forceful adjective to describe the surprise.

complete shock

Focuses on the jarring and disorienting aspect of being astonished.

great wonder

Highlights the feeling of awe and admiration alongside the surprise.

deep wonder

Like "great wonder", emphasizes the awe-inspiring aspect of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "profound astonishment" in a sentence?

You can use "profound astonishment" to describe a feeling of deep surprise and amazement, such as, "She stared at the winning lottery ticket with "profound astonishment"."

What are some alternatives to "profound astonishment"?

Alternatives include "deep amazement", "intense surprise", or "utter disbelief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "profound astonishment" more formal than "great surprise"?

Yes, "profound astonishment" carries a more formal and intense connotation compared to "great surprise", which is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

What differentiates "profound astonishment" from "simple astonishment"?

"Profound astonishment" implies a much deeper and more significant level of surprise and amazement than "simple astonishment". It suggests a reaction that is not only surprising but also deeply moving or impactful.