astonished

[ uh-ston-isht ]

adjective

1. filled with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amazed:

   Before the eyes of the astonished crowd, the magician pulled off everything from simple card tricks to the disappearance of his lovely assistant.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of astonish.

Other Words From

• as·ton·ished·ly adverb
• un·as·ton·ished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonished¹

First recorded in 1510–20, for an earlier sense; astonish + -ed ²( def ) for the adjective sense; astonish + -ed ¹( def ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

"I am astonished that I convinced myself that a woman of color could actually be president of the United States. A country that supports such a vulgar man isn’t capable of electing such a qualified woman."

From Salon

Looking in the rearview mirror, I am astonished that I convinced myself that a woman of color could actually be president of the United States.

From Salon

He told the BBC he was astonished to discover his identity was being used as director of UCL Tickets Ltd - a firm he had never heard of, and with which he had never consented to be involved.

From BBC

"I think lots of people in north Wales will be astonished that we are almost two years on from when the scandals broke and this health board went back into special measures and yet no one seems to have been held to account for the failings which have taken place," he said.

From BBC

Yes, astonished Trump opponents answered the call to protest at the airports and provide legal support to affected individuals and families.

From Slate

Related Words

• awed
• baffled
• befuddled
• dazed
• mystified
• perplexed
• puzzled
• rattled
• shocked
• startled
• stunned
• surprised