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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
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Fargo by definition is more regional and Alien is the opposite, and did an amazing global launch for us.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Michael himself is played by Jermaine’s son Jaafar Jackson, who’s an amazing dancer and an awkward actor and who looks enough like his uncle that he’ll probably be placed safely back in storage after production until needed for follow-ups.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Triple Active Exfoliator features enzyme, acid, and physical exfoliants to gently but powerfully polish and smooth the skin, an amazing mask for face, neck and chest.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 2026.
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