What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
astonished
Example
I was astonished to see my childhood friend after so many years. [astonished: adjective]
Example
The audience was left astonished by the magician's incredible performance. [astonished: past participle]
surprised
Example
I was surprised to find out that my favorite band was playing in town. [surprised: adjective]
Example
She surprised me with a birthday cake and balloons. [surprised: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surprised is more commonly used than astonished in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between astonished and surprised?
Both astonished and surprised are appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but astonished may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.
