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
Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The final big room that displayed five astonishing ARIRANG GARDEN visuals was worth it.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Adjective
Valentine won the 2025 National Endowment for the Humanities (RIP) Public Scholar Award for this astonishing story of how Black women in segregated code-breaking units helped our country defeat Soviet plans for decades.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The final big room that displayed five astonishing ARIRANG GARDEN visuals was worth it.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Verb
Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishing
Adjective
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Step through that doorway and visitors are greeted by Penryn Grill, a full-service restaurant that has become one of Placer County's most surprising dining destinations.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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That outcome would amount to a surprising end to what had been a rocket-ship campaign for the 42-year-old gadfly.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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And then, back comes Katie with another amazing script.—
Stephen Root,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
These sprinklers detect motion and will squirt bursts of water, startling squirrels and chasing them out of your garden.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
One of the more startling nuggets the doc reveals concerns Paul Bateson, the former radiological technician convicted of Verrill’s murder.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Cutting a ribbon, celebrating this wonderful binational relationship, and the wonderful Gordie Howe Bridge that is the new crossing linking Windsor and Detroit.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
However, while this plant is wonderful for home gardens and dinner tables, not all plants will work well as its neighbor.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Doherty departed the show in 1994, shocking viewers who felt Brenda was a staple of the show's drama.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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The Today show host came prepared with a beer in his suit jacket pocket, shocking his cohosts.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The daring attack, a symbol of Ukraine's innovative drone efforts reminiscent of that stunning operation last year in which Ukraine hid drones in shipping trucks, releasing them deep in Russia and striking military airfields.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning 2018 defeat of Representative Joe Crowley, a Queens party boss and member of the Democratic House leadership, catapulted her to international fame.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Many in the mountaineering community have hailed Hillary Dawa’s survival as miraculous.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
That the World Cup happened at all in a nation recovering from such destruction seemed miraculous to a young Luna.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
This is for the incredible army of women that surround and uplift me.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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Much like Sabitzer, Irvine does not put up incredible statistics, but is vital to the team functioning on the pitch.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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