ASTONISHING Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

astonishing 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstä-ni-shiŋ

Definition of astonishing

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

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

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming The soaring Teton Range of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is just one of the astonishing features that make this park so popular. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 The results of Niccol’s sustained investments and commitment to his employees have been nothing short of astonishing, bearing out in financial results which have defied Wall Street consensus by miles. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 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

Adjective

For something with only 256 pixels to play with, people have found a surprising number of things to put on them.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of surprising

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

Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Verb

In 1988, 27-year-old Japanese American graphic artist Karen Toshima was killed by a stray bullet during a gang confrontation on Broxton Avenue, shocking Angelenos who had treated gun violence as a problem largely confined to poor parts of the city.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of shocking

Adjective

That’s how Wagner found Daniel Paul, an architectural historian who researched and documented the 38-foot-tall cupola-style structure built in 1960 by Van Tassel, who ascribed it miraculous powers including antigravity, rejuvenation and time travel.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Words like miraculous, inspirational, incredible, amazing and magical were just some of the adjectives heard at Friday’s event.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of miraculous

Adjective

The space telescope hasn't just collected incredible data; its images have also given the general public a new appreciation for the beauty and wonder of space.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The playable character models and even roaming NPCs feature incredible outfit details.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of incredible

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astonishes

astonishing

astonishingly

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Style

“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of astonishing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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