astonishment
uh-STO-nihsh-muhnt
Astonishment (noun) means a feeling of great surprise or amazement. Example: “To her astonishment, she won first prize.”
noun
1
A feeling of great surprise or amazement.
"Marilla’s astonishment could not have been greater if Matthew had expressed a predilection for standing on his head."
— Lucy Maud Montgomery (1908)
"Imagine my astonishment when, reaching the bustling street, every Englishwoman I look on is also attired in a dowdy housecoat."
— Andrea Levy (2004)
"To her astonishment, she won first prize."
"He stared in astonishment at the size of the crowd."
"The class looked on in astonishment as their teacher proceeded to tear the pages out of the textbook."
How to use astonishment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong feeling of surprise or amazement.
Common pairings
to her astonishment
in astonishment
gasp in astonishment
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Word forms
- Plural
- astonishments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
To her _____, she won first prize.
Etymology
Formed from "astonish" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ment."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for astonishment
See all rhymes for astonishment →Frequently asked questions
What does “astonishment” mean?
The word “astonishment” means a feeling of great surprise or amazement. In plain terms, a strong feeling of surprise or amazement.
How do you pronounce “astonishment”?
“Astonishment” is pronounced uh-STO-nihsh-muhnt (/əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “astonishment” in a sentence?
Here is “astonishment” used in a sentence: “To her astonishment, she won first prize.”
What part of speech is “astonishment”?
“Astonishment” is a noun.
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