Please, sign up or log in to not lose your learning progress!

"Astonished" vs. "surprised": nuances of delight and disbelief

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 01/10/2024, 02:46

English.me team member

Astonished and surprised. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "astonished" and "surprised" describe a reaction to something unexpected or unusual.

What is different?

"Astonished" implies a stronger, more overwhelming sense of disbelief compared to "surprised", which is milder and more common.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for astonished) and surprised

Examples of usage

Astonished

She was astonished by the magician's tricks.
We were astonished to find out we had won the lottery.

Surprised

He was surprised to see her at the party.
I was surprised by how quickly the time passed.

Recommended posts in Difference

The nuances of justice: "vengeance" vs. "retribution"

The nuances of justice: "vengeance" vs. "retribution"

"Vengeance" often implies a personal or emotional motivation, suggesting a ... Learn more →

"Strange" vs. "odd": understanding the difference

"Strange" vs. "odd": understanding the difference

While both words denote something uncommon, "strange" often implies a ... Learn more →

"Apostle" & "disciple": exploring the paths of followers

"Apostle" & "disciple": exploring the paths of followers

An "apostle" is typically one of the early followers of ... Learn more →

"Presence" vs. "existence": the subtle nuances of being

"Presence" vs. "existence": the subtle nuances of being

Presence often refers to someone or something being in a ... Learn more →