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

There is, however, a fitness center equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and resistance training, as well as an outdoor yoga platform with breathtaking vantage points and complimentary classes offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during sunrise. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026

The story of the shoot, at the real-life club, in midtown Manhattan, is a breathtaking adventure. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

More breathtaking images released over the weekend from NASA's Artemis II mission show both the moon and Earth in all its cosmic glory as four astronauts head toward our celestial neighbor. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026

The gorgeous grounds, twice daily game drives, incredible wildlife sightings, and savanna sunsets were all nothing short of breathtaking. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Apr. 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