astounding 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstau̇n-diŋ How to pronounce astounding (audio)
Definition of astoundingnext
1
as in amazing
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness the astounding sight of their cat returning home after having been missing for two years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in astonishing
causing wonder or astonishment experiencing the astounding sight of the aurora borealis for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

astounding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of astound
as in stunning
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected it astounds me that you flew all the way out here just for my birthday

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 astounding
Adjective
Shoppers who’ve experienced common issues like bunions and hammertoes say the difference is astounding. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 According to a post on X, first spotted by The Guardian, a user in India named Bharath got hit with a particularly astounding bill. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026 But, in the middle of Obsession’s epic, $400 million box office run, a rival studio offered Barker an astounding $10 million deal for his next original project, sight unseen. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026 Also optional is the near-magical Active Ride suspension, which combines hydraulic dampers and electric motors to control unwanted body motions to an astounding degree. — Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for astounding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astounding
  1. amazing
  2. astonishing
  3. stunning
  4. surprising
  5. wonderful
  6. shocking
  7. startling
  8. miraculous
Adjective
  • But the Orlando installation also will not have the amazing hillside setting with its valley and mountain views that the California original promises.
    — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026
  • Harnessing the amazing benefits AI can provide means first developing your executive decision-making skills.
    — Hanneke Antonelli, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • But the most extraordinary thing on the screen is Antonio Banderas, who delivers an astonishing, devastating performance as the proprietor of the restaurant where Bourdain finds work, and on whose porch Tony ends up sleeping for the summer.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • With the James Webb Space Telescope, next-generation ground observatories, and future missions on the horizon, these seven worlds are unlikely to remain the most astonishing for long.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Verb
  • 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
  • Perhaps more surprising is that the vast majority—70%—were employed, a share that has held steady, meaning co-residency is climbing owing to growth in adults with steady jobs rather than those looking for work.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • This is a terrific role for Woodall, with shades of his party-boy hustler in season two of The White Lotus, Sal’s loose-cannon volatility balanced by surprising loyalty to Tony.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • Start with the escargot, which pack a wonderful buttery, garlicky punch, each bite topped with a perfect, tiny puff pastry.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The combination of David’s wonderful scripts, Lenny back directing on the BBC, Element Pictures producing, and Claire and Mathew leading our cast is a real gift.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • The rollout comes on the heels of shocking AI safety failures that rattled the nascent industry.
    — Sam McNeil, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • In year three, however, Fisch and the Wildcats were the talk of college football, shocking everyone with a 10-3 record and putting players like QB Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on the map.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Despite the early morning hour, the oceanfront hotels were already abuzz, a startling contrast to the more relaxed mood at Hotel Wailea.
    — Ronee Uyeshiro, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
  • The bat fell onto a table at the Yellow Deli in Vista, startling patrons.
    — Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • The following season, Newcastle came third in the Premier League and Andy Cole scored 41 goals, a miraculous rise by the standards of most clubs and vertiginous for Newcastle.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • They’re tossed in a blend of malt-vinegar powder, sugar, salt, black pepper, and MSG, a miraculous combination that activates every sensory receptor simultaneously, and nearly blows out your palate for anything else.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of miraculous

Browse Nearby Words

astounded
astounding
astoundingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astounding. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on astounding

Nglish: Translation of astounding for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All