What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amazed
Example
I was amazed by the beautiful sunset. [amazed: adjective]
Example
She looked at the painting with amazement. [amazement: noun]
surprised
Example
I was surprised to see my old friend at the party. [surprised: adjective]
Example
She surprised me with a birthday cake. [surprised: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surprised is more commonly used than amazed in everyday language. Surprised is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while amazed is less common and refers to a stronger emotional response.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between amazed and surprised?
Both amazed and surprised can be used in formal and informal contexts, but amazed may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
