Amazement
What it means
A strong feeling of surprise mixed with wonder.
Reach for it when describing a reaction whose unexpectedness is as important as admiration
The restored ceiling drew gasps of amazement from visitors.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
-
everyday
surprise
Fits when unexpectedness is the only required reaction
Careful Surprise can be mild and lacks admiration.
-
warm
Fits when pleasure outweighs unexpectedness
Careful Delight can be fully anticipated.
-
warm
Fits when awe and curiosity matter more than shock
Careful Wonder can be quiet and need not involve surprise.
-
formal
astonishment
Fits when the event strongly violates expectation
Careful Astonishment can be negative or alarming.
-
literary
Fits when grandeur creates deep respect and humility
Careful Awe is weightier and less playful than amazement.
-
literary
Fits when admiring contemplation is the response
Careful Marvel is less natural as the name of an immediate emotion.
Opposites 3
- indifference
- expectation
- boredom
Common phrases 3
-
to my amazement
To my amazement, every cutting produced new roots.
-
gasp of amazement
A gasp of amazement passed through the observatory.
-
wide-eyed amazement
The children watched the glassblower with wide-eyed amazement.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated