What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
astonish
Example
The magician's trick left the audience astonished. [astonished: adjective]
Example
I was astonished to hear that she won the lottery. [astonished: past tense verb]
surprise
Example
She planned a surprise party for her best friend's birthday. [surprise: noun]
Example
He surprised me with a thoughtful gift. [surprised: past participle adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surprise is more commonly used than astonish in everyday language. Surprise is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while astonish is less common and may be reserved for more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between astonish and surprise?
While surprise is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, astonish is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone.
