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

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

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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

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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
Eliot’s breadth and ambition and energy in painting a picture of a society in the midst of cataclysmic change is astounding. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026 Back then, single bedrooms booked at an astounding rate of two dollars a night! — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2026 Showings are sold out across the country, and box-office forecasts predict an opening weekend that could surpass Digger’s — an astounding feat for a three-hour documentary playing in one-fourth as many theaters. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 His durability has been astounding for a position player and among the best in team history. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 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
  • That technology gave birth to amazing stories like Jurassic Park and Terminator 2.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2026
  • What makes this even more amazing is that, of all the hundreds of high schools on Long Island, Jojo attends the Greenky’s alma mater.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • The astonishing details about the filming of Rocky as depicted in its new making-of biopic are true.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Democrats flipped an astonishing 15 seats in the Florida House that were held by Republicans.
    — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of astonishing
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
  • The sommelier was knowledgeable and provided us with pairings that spanned traditional offerings like cheeses, as well as some surprising additions like home fries and oxtail.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The combination of our three creative personas is surprising.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • Server was wonderful and attentive and the manager came around to check on things.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful connection between this film and the festival.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • Stevenson sprinted into the end zone for a 48-yard score as the clock expired, shocking the entire Soldier Field crowd as the Bears were only up 20-14.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully, pockets of violence erupted, shocking the country, as protesters smashed shopfronts and set Limoges Town Hall on fire.
    — Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • The movie exudes a startling confidence, at once buoyant and grounded—the kind of assurance that can emerge when a young director’s grasp of the medium, however nascent, is in synch with his feel for his characters and their world.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Famous authors, starting with Charles Dickens in Bleak House, took inspiration from these startling descriptions, which popped up in Enlightenment and Victorian-era tabloids.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • Senior backup quarterback Max Cutforth entered the game in Madsen’s absence and led the Broncos on a miraculous, back-and-forth comeback.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Jones later threw an interception in the end zone from the Georgia 3, ending any chance for a miraculous comeback with five minutes to go in the third.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of miraculous

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Cite this Entry

“Astounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astounding. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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