astonishing
Astonishing (adjective) means So surprising or impressive that it causes amazement. Example: “The gymnast’s astonishing flexibility drew gasps from the crowd.”
How to use astonishing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely surprising or impressive.
Word forms
more astonishing comparative, most astonishing superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gymnast’s _____ flexibility drew gasps from the crowd.
Related words
Rhymes for astonishing
Frequently asked questions
What does “astonishing” mean?
The word “astonishing” means so surprising or impressive that it causes amazement. In plain terms, extremely surprising or impressive.
How do you pronounce “astonishing”?
“Astonishing” is pronounced uh-STO-nih-shihng (/əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “astonishing” in a sentence?
Here is “astonishing” used in a sentence: “The gymnast’s astonishing flexibility drew gasps from the crowd.”
What part of speech is “astonishing”?
“Astonishing” is an adjective.
Is “astonishing” a common word?
“Astonishing” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between astonishing and surprising?
"Surprising" describes anything unexpected, even mildly so, while "astonishing" specifically means something so surprising or impressive that it causes amazement. Something can be surprising without being astonishing, but everything astonishing is also surprising.
Is astonishing a formal or informal word?
"Astonishing" is neutral in register and appears comfortably in both formal writing and everyday conversation. It's often used to intensify praise, as in "astonishing achievement" or "astonishing speed."
What words are commonly paired with astonishing?
"Astonishing" frequently modifies nouns like "achievement," "speed," "success," and "discovery," and often combines with "truly" or "utterly" for emphasis. It also appears as the adverb "astonishingly" before another adjective, as in "astonishingly fast."