AMAZEMENT.
Synonyms:
| admiration, | awe, | confusion, | surprise, |
| astonishment, | bewilderment, | perplexity, | wonder. |
Amazement and astonishment both express the momentary overwhelming of the mind by that which is beyond expectation. Astonishment especially affects the emotions, amazement the intellect. Awe is the yielding of the mind to something supremely[40] grand in character or formidable in power, and ranges from apprehension or dread to reverent worship. Admiration includes delight and regard. Surprise lies midway between astonishment and amazement, and usually respects matters of lighter consequence or such as are less startling in character. Amazement may be either pleasing or painful, as when induced by the grandeur of the mountains, or by the fury of the storm. We can say pleased surprise, but scarcely pleased astonishment. Amazement has in it something of confusion or bewilderment; but confusion and bewilderment may occur without amazement, as when a multitude of details require instant attention. Astonishment may be without bewilderment or confusion. Wonder is often pleasing, and may be continuous in view of that which surpasses our comprehension; as, the magnitude, order, and beauty of the heavens fill us with increasing wonder. Compare [PERPLEXITY].
Antonyms:
| anticipation, | composure, | expectation, | preparation, | steadiness, |
| calmness, | coolness, | indifference, | self-possession, | stoicism. |
Preposition:
I was filled with amazement at such reckless daring.