astonishment

astonishment — noun

1. the strong reaction you feel when something happens that you did not expect at a

1.nounB2
Definition

the strong reaction you feel when something happens that you did not expect at all and can hardly believe.

Example

Theo stared at the empty fish tank in astonishment, unable to guess where the goldfish had gone.

in astonishment after an unexpected discovery

To my astonishment, the old wooden door swung open by itself when I stepped onto the porch.

to one's astonishment fronting the surprising event

Common collocations
  • to one's astonishment
  • in astonishment
  • with astonishment
  • look of astonishment
  • expression of astonishment
  • stare in astonishment
  • gasp with astonishment
Synonyms
  • amazement

    very close in meaning; slightly more positive, often mixed with admiration

  • shock

    implies a sudden jolt, often unpleasant; astonishment is more neutral

  • disbelief

    focuses on refusal to accept the news; astonishment focuses on the surprise itself

  • wonder

    softer, often awe at something beautiful; astonishment is sharper and more abrupt

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

in astonishment

to one's astonishment

with astonishment

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable. Most common in fixed frames: 'in astonishment', 'to one's astonishment', 'with astonishment', and 'a look/expression of astonishment'. Stronger than 'surprise' — the speaker felt the news or event was almost unbelievable.

Common Mistakes

I had a big astonishment when I saw the prize.
To my astonishment, I saw the prize.
astonishment is uncountable; don't use 'a/an' or count it.
She looked at him with astonish.
She looked at him with astonishment.
'astonish' is the verb; the noun form is 'astonishment'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five describe the reaction to something unexpected, but they differ in intensity and feeling. 'Surprise' is the everyday, neutral word: a friend dropping by unannounced is a surprise. 'Astonishment' is much stronger — the event seemed nearly impossible, as when you discover your lost wallet returned with all the cash inside. 'Amazement' carries similar weight but leans positive, often mixed with admiration ('the children watched the fireworks in amazement'). 'Shock' suggests a sudden, often unpleasant jolt — hearing about an accident produces shock, not astonishment. 'Disbelief' focuses on the mind's refusal to accept what just happened, while astonishment focuses on the wave of feeling itself. In writing, choose 'astonishment' when you want to mark something as genuinely hard to believe.

astonishment ↗amazement ↗surprise ↗shock ↗disbelief ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • to my/her/his astonishment
  • much to one's astonishment
  • stare in astonishment
  • a look of astonishment
  • express astonishment at

Prepositions

  • in astonishment
  • with astonishment
  • to (someone's) astonishment
  • at

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

Formed in English in the 1500s by adding the noun-making ending '-ment' to the verb 'astonish'. 'Astonish' itself came through Old French 'estoner', meaning to stun or daze, which traces back to a Latin verb built on 'tonare' meaning 'to thunder'. The original picture was of someone struck speechless as if by a thunderclap — a sense still felt today when we say someone is 'thunderstruck' with astonishment.