What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
appalled
Example
I was appalled by the cruel treatment of animals at the factory. [appalled: adjective]
Example
She was appalled to discover the truth about her friend's betrayal. [appalled: past tense verb]
astonished
Example
I was astonished by the magician's incredible tricks. [astonished: adjective]
Example
He was astonished to find out that he had won the lottery. [astonished: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Astonished is more commonly used than appalled in everyday language. Astonished is versatile and can be used in various contexts to express surprise or amazement, while appalled is less common and used in more specific situations where there is a strong negative reaction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between appalled and astonished?
Both appalled and astonished can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, appalled may carry a slightly more formal tone due to its association with moral judgment and strong disapproval.
