ASTOUNDING Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

astounding 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈstau̇n-diŋ

Definition of astounding

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

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

And since the vessel switches up its path based on the seasons and conditions at sea, passengers will see different astounding sights throughout the year. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The sale was an astounding success, bringing in a record breaking $50 million. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026 This heat wave has easily been at its worst in Southern California, where a high temperature of an astounding 105 degrees was measured in San Diego near the water Saturday. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Still, more people are beginning to worry about the risks of the technology that has dazzled the world with its astounding capabilities. — Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astounding

Recent Examples of Synonyms for astounding

Adjective

This amazing energy, the vitality, simply could not be repressed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Each week, there are more amazing stats and historical comparisons.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of amazing

Adjective

At Garth Greenan, where more than forty of Drexler’s paintings and drawings from the sixties were on display, I was struck, once again, by the astonishing freshness and psychological bite of her work.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Chelsea 2026-27 rank second on that list, trailing only Liverpool’s astonishing start to their title-winning 2019-20 campaign.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 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 claim that mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in mental health disorders as well as physical ones is surprising to many people.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus works to make Polly relatable, a surprising choice for one of television’s most astringent comic presences.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of surprising

Verb

Near the very end of the application process, DuPonty pulled out, shocking his co-workers.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 Oct. 2026
The Dodgers’ steadiest pitcher and coolest cat actually seemed miffed on the mound when Smith didn’t challenge — as shocking a sight as his early exit.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Holcomb combines a startling precociousness with a moxie that has already shattered expectations.

— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
While the numbers are startling, Ohtani's at-bats suggest something isn't right.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of startling

Adjective

But the revelation has also raised questions about what Leo knew and when, given his poignant prayers in late September at a French shrine where Catholics believe miraculous cures have occurred.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of miraculous

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“Astounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astounding. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of astounding

adjective

verb

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