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astonishing 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstä-ni-shiŋ How to pronounce astonishing (audio)
Definition of astonishingnext
1
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness gave us the astonishing news she was getting married

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

astonishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of astonish
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of astonishing
Adjective
The buds' ability to block out sound was astonishing, given the lack of an inner-ear seal. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 Judge returned to the Yankees’ lineup Tuesday night carrying an astonishing 177 OPS+ in his career. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
Booming demand Anthropic’s growth has been astonishing even by Silicon Valley standards. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026 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
  1. surprising
  2. amazing
  3. stunning
  4. startling
  5. wonderful
  6. shocking
  7. miraculous
  8. incredible
Adjective
  • Even more surprising is how little these signatures have changed over billions of years.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The state AGs and the WGA filed suit in July after federal regulators had approved the deal, and gained surprising traction in a series of early court rulings, giving opponents of the merger hope it would be curtailed or even fully blocked.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • The half-day Istanbul tour was amazing, with a visit to Zeyrek Mosque, exploring the Basilica Cistern, and wandering the Spice Market, alive with the most fragrant foodstuffs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The ubiquitous carbon fiber looks amazing, of course, from the wide front intake to the active-aero winglets, fairings, the seat subframe, and even the license plate holder hanging off the tail.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazing
Verb
  • Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of stunning
Adjective
  • Still, nothing in the war has seemed as startling or as consequential as their breakneck assault last week, which centered on the capture of Mokha, a major port city on the Red Sea, and Perim, a tiny island at the southern entrance to the waterway.
    — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Back then the age of discovery was at its peak, and startling new information about what had previously been a very parochial planet was flooding into the academies of Europe and the Americas.
    — Ian Tattersall, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • The nurturing Moon in your sign faces shocking Uranus in your 7th House of Partnership, so your needs and someone else’s ask for balance.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
  • McNeil has made a career out of reliving the gritty tales of debauchery and explosive expression that gave rise to the Ramones and CBGB’s and shocking tales of New York in the 1970s.
    — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian went viral following his team’s miraculous 24-23 comeback against Ohio State this past Saturday after running off from a postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • He was given the Last Rites by a priest in the hospital before making a miraculous recovery.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of miraculous
Adjective
  • But Crow-Armstrong, through an incredible early-season approach adjustment combined with tweaks to his stance and hand placement, keeps putting on a show with his power production.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • With stunning use of practical effects and an incredible lead performance, this is one of the best horror films of the 2020s.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of incredible

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astonishing
astonishingly
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Cite this Entry

“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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