astonished
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /əˈstɒnɪʃt/
KK: /əˈstɑnɪʃt/
adjective
Definition
Feeling great surprise or wonder about something.
Example
She was astonished to see her old friend after so many years.
Conversation
I was astonished by the magic show last night!
Really? What was so surprising about it?
The way he made the elephant disappear was unbelievable!
Wow, that's impressive! I would have loved to see that.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
amazed
astounded
surprised
Antonyms
unimpressed
bored
indifferent
verb
Definition
To be very surprised or shocked by something unexpected.
Example
She was astonished to see her old friend at the party.
Tense Forms
Past: astonished
Past Participle: astonished
Conversation
I was completely astonished by the magician's trick last night!
Really? What did he do?
He made a whole car disappear right before our eyes!
Root Explanation
Astonished → It is formed from "astound" (from Old French *estoner*, meaning to stun or shock) and the suffix "-ed" (indicating a state or condition). The word "astonished" means to be in a state of shock or surprise.
Memory Tip
Think of being 'stunned' ('astound') and in a certain 'state' ('-ed') — that's why astonished means to be shocked or surprised.
Visually Confused Words
unastonished
stonish
stonied
unastonish
reastonish