Astonished: meaning, definitions and examples

😲

Add to dictionary

astonished

[əˈstɒnɪʃt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

feeling or showing great surprise or wonder

Synonyms

amazed, shocked, surprised.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
astonished	Used when someone is extremely surprised by something unexpected. He was astonished to find out he had won the lottery. She looked astonished when she received the news about the promotion.
amazed	Used to express a strong feeling of wonder or admiration, often in a positive way. We were amazed by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. The audience was amazed by the magician's performance.
shocked	Used for situations where someone is extremely surprised and disturbed or upset, often in a negative way. He was shocked to hear about the sudden death of his friend. She felt shocked after witnessing the car accident.
surprised	Used when someone experiences a mild to strong feeling of surprise, generally unexpected but not extreme. I was surprised to see my old friend at the party. She was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful gift.

Examples of usage

I was astonished by the news.
She looked astonished at the result.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze

Synonyms

amaze, astound, bewilder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
astonished	This word is commonly used when someone is very surprised or taken aback by something unexpected. It often has a positive or neutral connotation. She was astonished to find out she had won the lottery. I was astonished by the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
amaze	Use this word when you want to describe a situation or event that fills someone with wonder or great surprise. It typically carries a positive connotation. The magician's tricks never fail to amaze the audience. It amazes me how quickly technology has advanced.
astound	This word is used in situations where the surprise or shock is very strong, often to the point of disbelief. It can be either positive or negative. His ability to solve complex problems instantly astounds everyone. I was astounded by his lack of respect.
bewilder	This word is best used when the surprise leads to confusion or puzzlement. It has a more negative undertone compared to the others. The complex instructions bewildered the new employees. She was bewildered by his sudden change in behavior.

Examples of usage

The magician's tricks astonished the audience.
We were astonished by the beauty of the landscape.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French word 'estoner', which means to stun or shock.
It has roots in the Latin word 'tonare', meaning 'to thunder', suggesting something suddenly loud or surprising.
The shift from 'estoner' to 'astonished' in English illustrates how languages evolve and borrow from one another.

Pop Culture

In films, characters often express astonishment with wide eyes and dramatic music, highlighting the unexpected plot twists.
The phrase 'astonished silence' often appears in literature, where a sudden reveal leaves characters speechless.
Popular songs have used the feeling of being astonished to capture emotions tied to love, loss, and discovery.

Psychology

Astonishment triggers a unique reaction in the brain that combines surprise with an evaluation process.
Experiencing astonishment can lead to a lasting memory, as surprising events often require deeper cognitive processing.
This emotion is part of a broader spectrum of human reactions to novelty and helps in adapting to new information.

Literature

In Shakespeare's works, characters often express astonishment to emphasize social or personal revelations.
Many classic novels feature moments of astonishment that propel the plot forward, drawing readers into the narrative.
The theme of astonishment is frequently used in magical realism, where characters encounter the unbelievable in their everyday lives.

Science

Research shows that surprising discoveries in science, like unexpected results in experiments, can lead to breakthroughs.
Astonishment plays a role in education, as students often learn better when they encounter surprising information that challenges their beliefs.
In psychology experiments, people report feeling more engaged and curious when they are astonished by new findings.

Translations

Translations of the word "astonished" in other languages:

🇵🇹 surpreso

🇮🇳 आश्चर्यचकित

🇩🇪 erstaunt

🇮🇩 terkejut

🇺🇦 здивований

🇵🇱 zaskoczony

🇯🇵 驚いた

🇫🇷 étonné

🇪🇸 asombrado

🇹🇷 şaşırmış

🇰🇷 놀란

🇸🇦 مندهش

🇨🇿 ohromený

🇸🇰 ohromený

🇨🇳 惊讶的

🇸🇮 osupel

🇮🇸 undrandi

🇰🇿 таңғалған

🇬🇪 გაოცებული

🇦🇿 təəccüblənmiş

🇲🇽 asombrado

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,229 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8226 kicked
8227 consented
8228 revocation
8229 astonished
8230 colon
8231 obedient
8232 ignoring
...