Definition

1. Noun:
   • The feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising: A state of being filled with wonder or amazement, typically caused by something unexpected or difficult to believe.
   • Something that causes such a feeling: An event or object that is astonishing.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He looked at me in astonishment. (His expression showed he was extremely surprised.)
  • To my astonishment, the plan worked perfectly. (I was filled with surprise because the plan succeeded.)
  • The magician's final trick left the audience in utter astonishment. (The audience was completely amazed.)

Advanced Usage

• "To someone's astonishment": Used to introduce a fact or event that caused great surprise to a specific person or group.
  • Much to her astonishment, she won first prize. (She was very surprised that she won.)
• "Astonishment at": Used to specify the cause of the surprise.
  • She could not hide her astonishment at the news. (She was visibly surprised by the news.)

Variants and Related Words

• Astonish (verb): To fill with sudden and great wonder or surprise.
  • The results will astonish you.
• Astonishing (adjective): Causing great surprise or amazement.
  • He showed astonishing courage.
• Astonished (adjective): Feeling or showing great surprise.
  • She had an astonished look on her face.

Synonyms

• Amazement: A feeling of great surprise or wonder.
• Surprise: An unexpected event or the feeling caused by it.
• Wonder: A feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar.
• Stupefaction: The state of being stupefied; overwhelming amazement.

Idioms and Phrases

• Gasp in astonishment: To inhale suddenly and audibly due to surprise.
  • The crowd gasped in astonishment as the acrobat fell, only to be caught at the last second.
• Wide-eyed astonishment: A look of complete surprise, with eyes opened wide.
  • The children stared in wide-eyed astonishment at the fireworks.

Noun

1. the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
   • he looked at me in astonishment