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Can amazing mean "good"?
Yes, it can.
One common complaint regarding the adjectival use of amazing is the extent to which the word is used in what some feel is a watered-down fashion. Those who take this position argue that unless someone is literally being amazed, the word is ill-chosen.
While this defense of semantic integrity is understandable, we must point out that the broadened meaning of amazing is hardly an isolated case. In fact, a number of words that are semantically similar to amazing have also come unmoored from their original meanings. Fabulous once meant “characteristic of fables," and the earliest known sense of terrific was “exciting fear or awe.” Although the weakened meanings of such words have elicited complaints, most of them have eventually become accepted into the language over the course of time.
Examples of amazing in a Sentence
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Just be like, check out this amazing building.
—Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2026
Finding the simple life is as easy as booking a stay at one of these amazing dude ranches.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
The eggs Florentine is amazing because its English muffin is amazing.
—Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for amazing
Cite this Entry
“Amazing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amazing. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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