breathtaking

adjective

breath·​tak·​ing ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ 

1

: causing one to breathe rapidly or with difficulty : making one out of breath

a breathtaking pain in her side

2

a

: exciting, thrilling

a breathtaking race

b

: very great : astonishing

his breathtaking ignorance

breathtakingly

ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of breathtaking

• exciting
• thrilling
• interesting
• intriguing
• inspiring

Examples of breathtaking in a Sentence

The train raced past with breathtaking speed.

They gave a breathtaking performance.

The view of the mountains was breathtaking.

a scene of breathtaking beauty

The scope of the error is breathtaking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chloe Webb’s performance as Nancy Spungen, the junkie girlfriend who Sid probably murdered (the role of Nancy was originally supposed to go to Courtney Love), is breathtaking in the nakedness of its emotion. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

As outlined in the magisterial biography produced by his grandson, Peter Ascoli, and a remarkable documentary by Aviva Kempner, Rosenwald’s accomplishments were breathtaking. — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Data center projects have been shrouded in secrecy and marked by breathtaking indifference to residents’ concerns. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Picture show Millions of people across Europe flocked outside yesterday to catch a breathtaking sunset paired with a solar eclipse. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breathtaking

• awaking
• backbreaking
• bookmaking
• brickmaking
• caretaking
• dressmaking
• filmmaking
• forsaking
• glassmaking
• groundbreaking
• haymaking
• heartbreaking

Kids Definition

breathtaking

adjective

breath·​tak·​ing ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ 

1

: making one out of breath

breathtaking speed

2

: exciting, thrilling

breathtaking beauty

breathtakingly

-kiŋ-lē 

adverb