astonishing

adjective

as·​ton·​ish·​ing ə-ˈstä-ni-shiŋ How to pronounce astonishing (audio)
Synonyms of astonishingnext
: causing a feeling of great surprise or wonder : surprising
an astonishing discovery
astonishingly
ə-ˈstä-ni-shiŋ-lē How to pronounce astonishing (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

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Examples of astonishing in a Sentence

He showed an astonishing lack of concern for others. The truck can hold an astonishing amount of stuff. She gave an astonishing performance in her first film.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These mother-child relationships are wonderfully portrayed, but one of the series’ most astonishing details is Justin’s relationship with his father, Eric (Wood Harris). — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 May 2025 Americans are accustomed to U.S. companies delivering astonishing innovations with regularity, including the iPhone, cloud computing, the Tesla Model S, and ChatGPT. — L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025 There’s no question Nicole Scherzinger produced the most astonishing musical performance of the Broadway season. — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025 Crossing a bright line These astonishing events crossed red lines where no previous administration thought to venture. — Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for astonishing

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of astonish

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of astonishing was in 1593

Rhymes for astonishing

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Browse Nearby Words

astonishedly
astonishing
astonishment
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Cite this Entry

“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astonishing. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of astonishing for Spanish Speakers

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