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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Johannes displays an astonishing technical prowess and an ability to masterfully sing advanced tenor repertoire.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Blame Wiz for Bam’s 83 Four days before their visit to Causeway Street, the Wizards were on the wrong end of one of the best scoring performances in NBA history, surrendering an astonishing 83 points to Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
And 17 teams were consistent losers, led by the Raiders, who failed at an astonishing nine of 10 hires.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Adjective
McAdams remembered both Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton; Streisand gave an astonishing eulogy to her co-star and friend Robert Redford.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Johannes displays an astonishing technical prowess and an ability to masterfully sing advanced tenor repertoire.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Blame Wiz for Bam’s 83 Four days before their visit to Causeway Street, the Wizards were on the wrong end of one of the best scoring performances in NBA history, surrendering an astonishing 83 points to Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
And 17 teams were consistent losers, led by the Raiders, who failed at an astonishing nine of 10 hires.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astonishing
Adjective
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But for me the story of Shakur’s jailbreak was not just a piece of radical political history but a surprising revelation about my own family.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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The bigger adventures will come, but sometimes the most surprising inspiration arrives on an ordinary street corner in your own city.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lucky for us, the Amazon Big Spring Sale started today, and some amazing tablet deals are here to make your life easier.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Hallauer and Josefberg have absolutely amazing chemistry, Adeline plays Lorraine to flirty perfection, Bindeman takes nerdiness to a whole new level, and Tucker’s voice is, well, golden.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What’s startling is how quickly yesterday’s propaganda has morphed into a neutral statement on American policy.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Now his name is trending again, his lawsuit against his parents a startling revelation.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The teams got invaluable data — and some wonderful video too.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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Books Are Magic, a wonderful bookshop owned by novelist Emma Staub, alone could suck up an entire morning.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He’s involved in a war of monumental proportions that’s shocking the globe.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Here in Eruemukohwarien, a few individual villagers climb over the perimeter sandbags in order to place their cassava, laid out on bamboo trays, in shocking proximity to the 30-foot fireball.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The lobby is separated into small, lounge-like spaces, including a reception desk that’s tucked away in an alcove under a stunning sculpture of falling dandelions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Owls beat Tennessee in the Sweet 16 three years ago as part of a stunning run to the Final Four.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The community is on the brink of collapse – until Elias’ estranged brother Joosua returns from prison and performs a miraculous healing.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
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Out went the optimism about mRNA and in came wild theories that this miraculous, Nobel Prize-winning technology wasn’t safe.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Go up against incredible competition and the expectations and some change, right?—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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We were robbed of an incredible human.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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