astonishment

IPA

Dictionary definition of astonishment

A feeling or state of being greatly surprised, amazed, or bewildered.
"His unexpected proposal left her in a state of utter astonishment."

Detailed meaning of astonishment

It encompasses a sense of overwhelming shock, wonder, or disbelief that arises from encountering something unexpected, extraordinary, or remarkable. Astonishment is a powerful emotional reaction, often characterized by wide-eyed expressions, dropped jaws, or speechlessness. It signifies a momentary loss of words or comprehension when faced with a situation, event, or information that surpasses one's expectations or understanding. Astonishment can be triggered by a range of stimuli, including witnessing extraordinary feats, receiving surprising news, experiencing rare occurrences, or encountering remarkable achievements. It is a profound and intense emotion that leaves individuals momentarily captivated, amazed, or in awe of what they have witnessed or learned. The noun "astonishment" captures the essence of profound surprise, wonder, and amazement in response to the extraordinary.

Example sentences containing astonishment

1. In sheer astonishment, Jake gazed at the sky, ablaze with colors he'd never seen.
2. Her eyes, wide with astonishment, mirrored the fireworks’ explosive dance.
3. "What a sight!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with astonishment and awe.
4. Astonishment gripped Lisa as the magician made the entire building disappear.
5. With astonishment, children watched the zoo's newest, playful, exotic animal.
6. In the wake of the news, a wave of astonishment swept over the silent crowd.

History and etymology of astonishment

The noun 'astonishment' shares its etymological roots with the adjective 'astonished.' It derives from the Old French word 'estoner,' which meant 'to stun' or 'to amaze.' 'Estoner' itself came from the Latin word 'extonare,' formed by combining 'ex-' (meaning 'thoroughly') and 'tonare' (meaning 'to thunder'). 'Extonare' originally described the sensation of being struck by thunder, a powerful and stunning experience that was often associated with extreme surprise and amazement. As 'estoner' evolved into Middle English and then 'astonish,' 'astonishment' emerged as the noun form to denote the feeling or state of being greatly surprised, amazed, or bewildered. The etymology of 'astonishment' underscores the historical connection between the sensation of being thunderstruck and the profound surprise and amazement that this word conveys.

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Further usage examples of astonishment

1. John's astonishment was evident; he'd never expected to win the grand prize.
2. Astonishment painted their faces as the underdog team clinched a victory.
3. Sara’s astonishment bubbled over when she saw the surprise party in her honor.
4. The room was alive with whispers and astonishment after the shocking revelation.
5. Astonishment filled the air; no one expected an announcement of this magnitude.
6. His proposal at sunrise filled her with a warm, golden astonishment.
7. Witnessing the meteor shower, we shared a silent, profound astonishment.
8. Amidst laughter and astonishment, the reality of the miracle unfolded.
9. The magician's final act was met with applause and wide-eyed astonishment.
10. Astonishment was their silent companion as they explored the abandoned castle.
11. In every corner of the room, astonishment and disbelief were the shared language.
12. She read the letter with growing astonishment, her dreams were finally true.
13. As the curtains fell, astonishment and awe held the audience captive.
14. The sudden transformation of the city square bred universal astonishment.
15. The sudden fireworks display filled the crowd with astonishment.
16. The magician's disappearing act was met with gasps of astonishment from the audience.
17. The announcement of her promotion was met with shouts of astonishment and applause.
18. His exceptional athletic performance was met with astonishment from his teammates.
19. The news of their unexpected victory was met with astonishment by sports fans everywhere.
20. The grand finale of the concert left the audience in a state of astonishment and awe.
21. The astonishing acrobatic routine drew looks of astonishment from onlookers.
22. The revelation of the long-lost treasure evoked expressions of astonishment and excitement.
23. The intricate dance routine performed by the troupe left the judges in a state of astonishment.
24. The unexpected twist in the plot of the movie elicited audible gasps of astonishment from the audience.
25. The talented pianist's virtuoso performance was met with thunderous applause and expressions of astonishment.