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Wonder vs Wonderment vs Amazement vs Admiration

Wonderwondermentamazementadmiration can denote the complex emotion aroused by something that is inexplicable or incomprehensible and, often, awe-inspiring.

Wonder and wonderment commonly suggest novelty or strangeness in what excites the emotion and astonishment or perplexity in the person affected. In its richest use wonder often implies rapturous awe.

Amazement stresses bewilderment or loss of power to collect one’s thoughts; it rarely gives an indication of like or dislike for the object exciting the emotion.

Admiration , which in its most general sense implies an often enthusiastic recognition of superiority (see REGARD ), can add an implication of absorbed or ecstatic attention (as to the rare, the beautiful, or the sublime) that approaches awe in its elevation and intensity.