1
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
gave us the astonishing news she was getting married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazing
causing wonder or astonishment
an astonishing view of the Grand Canyon that few tourists get to see
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stunning
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of astonishing
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The lunar program cost an astonishing $28 billion, somewhere north of $300 billion in today’s dollars.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Then to be promoted to the summer tour party and, on top of that, trusted to perform in adult matches with a significant audience and unstoppable level of attention is astonishing.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Well, the bolt is an astonishing 515 miles (829 kilometers) long.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Adjective
The most astonishing story has been around for a while.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The lunar program cost an astonishing $28 billion, somewhere north of $300 billion in today’s dollars.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Then to be promoted to the summer tour party and, on top of that, trusted to perform in adult matches with a significant audience and unstoppable level of attention is astonishing.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Well, the bolt is an astonishing 515 miles (829 kilometers) long.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishing
Adjective
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When Janssen asked why, the man had a surprising answer.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
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That being said, a new update has shared a potential surprising outcome to the situation.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But each was just a short hop from Tokyo, and the payoff was a deep dive into the many famous temples, shrines and amazing gastronomy of the area.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Meet the apple snail and their amazing eyes In parts of the United States, apple snails are considered an invasive species.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While there have been some rumblings about Paramount on Reddit chat groups like Wall Street Bets, there hasn’t been anything like the Covid frenzy that boosted AMC Entertainment, GameStop and numerous other stocks to startling levels.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
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In 1956, the American geologist M. King Hubbert made a startling prediction: In a matter of decades, the supply of fuel on which so much of modern society depended would dwindle.—
Alexander C. Kaufman,
The Atlantic,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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As guests enter the suite, they are immediately struck by a feature bar and stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip with all of its glitz and glamour.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Tate didn't budge and Hall proceeded to put on stunning displays of GOP unity.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Caring, smart and fun with a wonderful calming Zen demeanor.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Preserving history is wonderful, but so is safety. — Mary Ellen Stepowany, Baltimore Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But leaning into the miraculous, improbable achievement of an online actual play series selling out MSG, the cast and crew were determined to do it up.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
15 Aug. 2025
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And a couple of weeks later, those conversations paid off in Sporting’s somewhat miraculous win over the L.A. Galaxy.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Encore® family of azaleas stands apart from all others with their incredible reblooming ability, sun tolerance, and cold hardiness.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
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The Hubble Telescope and its Wide Field Camera 3 got an incredible view of the comet named 3I/ATLAS, which came from beyond our solar system, on July 21 when the object was 277 million miles (445 million kilometers) from Earth.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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