was astonished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was astonished' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of surprise or of being amazed by something. For example: She was astonished by the beauty of the sunset.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Keller was astonished.

The New Yorker

Mr Robinson was astonished.

The Economist

I was astonished.

The New York Times

"I was astonished," Snider said.

The New York Times - Sports

She was astonished.

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Arnold was astonished.

The New York Times

Schwartz was astonished by what happened.

The New York Times

She was astonished by the nomination.

Independent

He was astonished, he said.

The New York Times

I was astonished, almost disoriented.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Everyone was astonished," Omar said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was astonished" to convey a strong sense of surprise, almost to the point of disbelief. This phrase is more impactful than simply saying someone 'was surprised'.

Common error

Avoid using "was astonished" for minor or everyday surprises. Save it for situations that genuinely evoke a significant sense of amazement or shock, otherwise, the impact will be lessened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was astonished" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being surprised or amazed. According to Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and suitable for describing a strong feeling of surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was astonished" effectively conveys a strong feeling of surprise or amazement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. While similar to "was surprised" or "was amazed", "was astonished" implies a greater level of wonder and disbelief. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for reporting unexpected events or remarkable discoveries. To use it effectively, reserve "was astonished" for situations that truly warrant a significant sense of amazement to maximize its impact. This ensures that when you use the phrase, it truly captures the magnitude of the surprise experienced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was astounded

Synonymous with "astonished", emphasizing a stronger sense of disbelief.

was amazed

Expresses a similar feeling of wonder and surprise, but might imply a slightly lesser degree of shock.

was flabbergasted

Suggests a state of speechlessness due to extreme surprise.

was dumbfounded

Similar to flabbergasted, emphasizing the inability to speak due to astonishment.

was surprised

A more general term for feeling unexpectedness; lacks the intensity of "astonished".

was taken aback

Implies a sudden surprise that causes a momentary pause or hesitation.

was shocked

Indicates a strong feeling of surprise, often with a negative or unsettling connotation.

was bewildered

Suggests confusion mixed with surprise, often when something is unexpected and difficult to understand.

was marvelled

Implies wonder and pleasure at something impressive or beautiful.

was impressed

Focuses on admiration and respect, rather than pure surprise.

FAQs

What does "was astonished" mean?

The phrase "was astonished" means to be greatly surprised or impressed; filled with sudden wonder or amazement.

How to use "was astonished" in a sentence?

You can use "was astonished" to describe someone's reaction to an unexpected or remarkable event. For example: "She "was astonished" to see how much her garden had grown in just one week."

What can I say instead of "was astonished"?

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

What's the difference between "was astonished" and "was surprised"?

"Was surprised" indicates a general feeling of unexpectedness, while "was astonished" conveys a much stronger sense of wonder and amazement. "Astonished" implies a greater degree of shock or disbelief than "surprised".