astonishing
uh-STO-nih-shihng
Astonishing (adjective) means So surprising or impressive that it causes amazement. Example: “The gymnast’s astonishing flexibility drew gasps from the crowd.”
adjective
1
So surprising or impressive that it causes amazement.
"The gymnast’s astonishing flexibility drew gasps from the crowd."
"The view from the mountain top was astonishing, stretching for miles in every direction."
"It is astonishing how quickly the little boy learned to read."
How to use astonishing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely surprising or impressive.
Common pairings
astonishing achievement
truly astonishing
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more astonishing
- Superlative
- most astonishing
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The gymnast’s _____ flexibility drew gasps from the crowd.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for astonishing
fishing
dishing
phishing
swishing
vanishing
perishing
finishing
punishing
polishing
ravishing
nourishing
publishing
See all 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."
