Wonderment: Is It Even a Real Word? Meaning and Synonyms

"Wonderment" is a real word that means a state of amazement, astonishment, or awe, often caused by something remarkable or unexpected.

Although it may seem like a made-up word at first glance, the noun "wonderment" describes the feeling of being filled with wonder or marveling at something extraordinary. The word is comprised of "wonder" and the suffix "-ment." "Wonder" on its own means to be filled with curiosity, amazement, or admiration while "-ment" turns the verb "wonder" into the result or state of the action in noun form. Other verbs that can become nouns when adding the suffix "-ment" include the following:

amuse → amusement
enforce → enforcement
develop → development

"Wonderment" in context

For instance, imagine a group of tourists visiting a famous, ancient temple for the first time. They are in awe of the temple's beauty, its historical significance, and the incredible craftsmanship that went into its construction. As they explore the temple, they are speechless and filled with a sense of wonderment, marveling at the grandeur and history that surrounds them.

In this situation, "wonderment" describes the feeling of amazement and awe that the tourists experience as they explore the temple.

Synonyms of "wonderment"

Although no single word holds the exact same meaning as "wonderment," here are some words that have similar meanings and convey a feeling akin to "wonderment."

Amazement
Astonishment
Awe
Admiration
Marvel
Fascination
Enchantment
Bewilderment
Curiosity
Surprise

The use of "wonderment" over time

According to the Google Books Ngram Viewer, the use of "wonderment" has fluctuated throughout the years, and it has recently experienced more use in the 2000s than ever before.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known use of the noun "wonderment" is from 1535, which is relatively recent and well into the Modern English era.

The Oxford English Dictionary also states that "wonderment" is derived from the English word "wonder" and the suffix "-ment," which shows how recently this word has formed as the reputable dictionary does not list a Latin root for the word but English words instead.

Example sentences

The children's faces were filled with wonderment as they watched the fireworks light up the night sky.
The natural beauty of the waterfall left visitors in a state of wonderment.
The stunning artwork in the museum filled viewers with wonderment and admiration.
The scientific discovery was met with wonderment from the entire research community.
The magician's tricks were performed with such skill that they left the audience in utter wonderment.
The breathtaking sunset over the ocean was a source of wonderment for everyone on the beach.
His eloquent speech on the importance of space exploration was met with wonderment by the audience.
The grand architecture of the ancient cathedral never failed to evoke a sense of wonderment.
The unexpected act of kindness from a stranger left her in a state of wonderment.
The intricate details of the handcrafted jewelry filled customers with wonderment and appreciation.

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