Experiencing intense surprise, often mixed with wonder or admiration.
Reach for it when describing a person's reaction when reality exceeds expectation
We were amazed by how quickly the injured owl returned to flight.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
blown away
Fits when strong informal enthusiasm suits conversation
Careful This idiom is unsuitable for a careful professional testimonial.
everyday
astonished
Fits when the surprise is stronger or harder to process
Careful Astonished may sound alarmed when the reaction is warmly admiring.
warm
Fits when pleasure outweighs surprise
Careful Delighted wrongly promises happiness if the news was merely unexpected.
professional
Fits when high quality earns approval after evaluation
Careful Impressed is too controlled when disbelief is the main reaction.
formal
astounded
Fits when an extraordinary fact causes near-disbelief
Careful Astounded is heavy for a small, charming discovery.
literary
Fits when grandeur produces wonder and reverence
Careful Awestruck creates distance where friendly excitement fits better.
truly amazed
Nico was truly amazed by the restored ceiling.
amazed to discover
The archivist was amazed to discover a second signed copy.
amazed at the result
The students looked amazed at the result of their experiment.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Sapaa, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated
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