astonishing

[ uh-ston-i-shing ]

adjective

1. causing astonishment or surprise; amazing:

   an astonishing victory; an astonishing remark.

astonishing

/ əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing great surprise or amazement; astounding

Derived Forms

• aˈstonishingly, adverb

Other Words From

• as·tonish·ing·ly adverb
• as·tonish·ing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonishing¹

First recorded in 1520–30; astonish + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Puerto Rican Serrano has won world titles in an astonishing seven divisions.

From BBC

"It's pretty astonishing," said chef-turned-bioengineer Vayu Hill-Maini.

From Salon

For chunks of the contest, the home side looked outstanding, but South Africa’s ability to fight their way to survival was astonishing.

From BBC

Although legal or legislative efforts will be necessary to lift their now unconstitutional bans, it’s astonishing progress for those states and the people who live in them.

From Los Angeles Times

In the name of war, this century has seen an astonishing erosion of constraints on that very power, as Yale law professor Harold Hongju Koh details in his illuminating new book, "The National Security Constitution in the Twenty-First Century."

From Salon

Related Words

• amazing
• astounding
• bewildering
• breathtaking
• extraordinary
• impressive
• marvelous
• miraculous
• spectacular
• staggering
• startling
• striking
• stunning
• wonderful
• wondrous