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 good news, said Helen Lewis in The Atlantic, is that all this drama is a by-product of the league’s astonishing success. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 Aug. 2026 That’s a simply astonishing figure, given that US consumers spent close to $160 billion through BNPL loans in 2025. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 20 Aug. 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
  • Paying the balance may seem like the simplest way to deal with the issue, but sending money without understanding the debt's status could have surprising consequences.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Lucky star, 68, caught up with PEOPLE about the Lucky series finale and the surprising decision that her criminal character makes during her final scenes of the Apple TV thriller.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • Christina has amazing taste and loves color but also has a sense of restraint.
    — Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For all the robots’ amazing (if unsettling) feats, let’s be real—their hijinks are too funny not to watch on repeat.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 25 Aug. 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
  • Churchman said that in developing the firm’s AI platform for clients, the software made a startling admission.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • A couple's anniversary getaway took a wild turn when a bear strolled into a Gatlinburg tea shop and began rummaging through merchandise before suddenly jumping onto the counter in a startling encounter caught on video.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • There’s this wonderful character in the book, Lucky’s childhood friend [Steph].
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Toronto is a wonderful city, and this will be a Saturday night game featuring Sidney Crosby in the place for hockey.
    — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • On Monday June 29, a bomb exploded on the doorstep of Yermolaiev’s luxury apartment in Monaco, gravely injuring the Ukrainian millionaire and shocking residents of the wealthy city state.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Clary said the devices have been an extremely effective tool that sometimes make students cooperate on sight even without shocking a student.
    — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Over the next two decades, Evergrande built many of the homes, office blocks and urban structures that powered China’s miraculous economic growth.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury during the crash and was in the hospital for months, but has made a miraculous recovery.
    — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of miraculous
Adjective
  • Spread across four floors (including an incredible rooftop terrace), this is a spacious home located in the center of Essaouira’s medina and its art galleries.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Then that incredible precision vanished for an inning — and just an inning.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of incredible

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Cite this Entry

“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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