1
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
gave us the astonishing news she was getting married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
Drew Pittock, USA Today, 16 June 2026
The Post revealed in March the US was burning through Tomahawks at an astonishing rate, as the Pentagon boasted of an easy victory.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astonishing
Adjective
But the largest weighed an astonishing 153 pounds and was 17 feet long.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 16 June 2026
The Post revealed in March the US was burning through Tomahawks at an astonishing rate, as the Pentagon boasted of an easy victory.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Verb
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
-
The discovery is so surprising because even though AGNs are rich with gas and dust — the building blocks of planets — the turbulent conditions within the disks wouldn't generally be considered ideal for forming planets.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
-
Netflix has yet to renew the show for a second season, which is at least a little bit surprising.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
My brother in-law was an incredible husband and an amazing father to their boys.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Give the audience this amazing look, but the music’s the thread of the whole thing.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His Qatari side equalized in the final minutes of their opening game, stunning the Swiss in the Bay Area in one of the shock results of the first weekend of the tournament.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
But spending 20 minutes staging content at the only overlook or the most stunning waterfall while a line of hikers waits behind you is not the move.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The campsite is a budget-friendly way to spend a few nights in the area, a wonderful addition given the more luxe vibe of the other spaces that makes this property feel like a real community.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
-
But in general, working with Tim is just wonderful.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
That 26-year-old Haitian, Joe Gaetjens, scored the winning goal, heading in a pass from Walter Bahr and shocking the sports world.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Dozens of older homes, most built during the area’s postwar building boom, were in a state of shocking disrepair.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The mayor said the Knicks' miraculous comeback in Game 4 typified New York's never-say-die spirit.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
-
Fresh off their championship victory, the team’s starting five — Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges — will join Jimmy Fallon to celebrate their miraculous NBA finals run and taking home the franchise’s first title in 53 years.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
In an incredible twist of fate, a then-20-year-old Messi was actually photographed holding Yamal as a baby back in 2007.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
In baseball, the incredible comeback of the Mets to beat the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astonishing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
