Synonyms of astonishing

astonishing 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstä-ni-shiŋ 

1

as in surprising

causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness

gave us the astonishing news she was getting married

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprising
• startling
• amazing
• stunning
• shocking
• wonderful
• astounding
• incredible
• breathtaking
• stupefying
• unexpected
• awesome
• jaw-dropping
• flabbergasting
• jolting
• miraculous
• dumbfounding
• staggering
• extraordinary
• jarring
• spectacular
• remarkable
• unusual
• stupendous
• eye-opening
• impressive
• wondrous
• awful
• blindsiding
• unbelievable
• sublime
• marvelous
• unforeseen
• unanticipated
• uncommon
• prodigious
• perplexing
• inconceivable
• phenomenal
• dismaying
• sensational
• disconcerting
• unimaginable
• unlikely
• outstanding
• upsetting
• confusing
• confounding
• incomprehensible
• unthinkable
• rare
• portentous
• striking
• noticeable
• bewildering
• fabulous
• unannounced
• notable
• heart-stopping
• befuddling
• discomfiting
• conspicuous
• unwonted
• unique
• nonplussing
• flustering
• singular
• muddling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsurprising
• ordinary
• normal
• common
• typical
• usual
• customary
• mundane
• unremarkable
• unexceptional

2

as in amazing

causing wonder or astonishment

an astonishing view of the Grand Canyon that few tourists get to see

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amazing
• wonderful
• surprising
• miraculous
• incredible
• stunning
• sublime
• marvelous
• staggering
• extraordinary
• impressive
• awesome
• remarkable
• astounding
• stupendous
• wondrous
• spectacular
• prodigious
• fabulous
• portentous
• interesting
• fascinating
• unbelievable
• unusual
• awful
• inconceivable
• outstanding
• eye-opening
• unimaginable
• unique
• incomprehensible
• exciting
• unthinkable
• striking
• enchanting
• rare
• uncommon
• phenomenal
• noticeable
• charming
• attractive
• sensational
• notable
• attracting
• unwonted
• conspicuous
• enlightening
• singular
• entertaining
• mind-blowing
• mind-boggling
• alluring
• smashing
• mind-bending
• enthralling
• beguiling
• captivating
• bewitching
• invigorating
• stimulating
• enlivening
• galvanizing
• energizing
• animating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unremarkable
• unimpressive
• ordinary
• uninspiring
• tedious
• typical
• uninteresting
• boring
• usual
• normal
• wearisome
• common
• monotonous
• customary
• dull
• tiring
• weary
• mundane
• uninspired
• wearying
• unexceptional
• exhausting
• draining
• debilitating
• fatiguing
• discouraging
• disheartening
• wearing
• jading
• dispiriting
• demoralizing
• enervating
• enfeebling

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

• amazing
• stunning
• surprising
• startling
• shocking
• astounding
• flabbergasting
• stupefying
• rocking
• dumbfounding
• bewildering
• taking by surprise
• bowling over
• perplexing
• disconcerting
• thunderstriking
• taking aback
• confusing
• befuddling
• dismaying
• jarring
• flooring
• discomfiting
• blowing away
• blindsiding
• shaking up
• dazing
• muddling
• confounding
• nonplussing
• knocking for a loop

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of astonishing

Adjective

Called the Lorimer Burst, after the team leader who discovered it, the flash was far more luminous than anything ever seen like it, and, still more astonishing, the entire event lasted only about 5 milliseconds. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026

Then, in European culture, Christianity appeared, a religion which made an astonishing discovery, namely, that the primary cause for everything—humans, animals, nature, fertility, the inanimate world, the universe, the cosmos—could be concentrated into one single point. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

Verb

Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points. — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026