1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in astonishing
causing wonder or astonishment
experiencing the astounding sight of the aurora borealis for the first time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 astounding
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2026
An entire era… an incredible… a phenominal [sic], astounding, prodigious , presence… lost yesterday.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Tiger introduced himself to America by winning the 1997 Masters at age 22 by an astounding 12 strokes.
—Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
If true, the pair should eventually start emitting extremely low-frequency gravitational waves that are detectable—providing even more evidence of the astounding meetup.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astounding
Adjective
That’s an astounding 40 points worse than anyone else.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2026
An entire era… an incredible… a phenominal [sic], astounding, prodigious , presence… lost yesterday.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Tiger introduced himself to America by winning the 1997 Masters at age 22 by an astounding 12 strokes.
—Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
If true, the pair should eventually start emitting extremely low-frequency gravitational waves that are detectable—providing even more evidence of the astounding meetup.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astounding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astounding
Adjective
-
To get a sentence like that in a communist, radically left-wing city of liberal lunatics is truly amazing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The best was this amazing movie with Isabelle Huppert and Gerard Depardieu.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Head there for a quieter gape at the astonishing mortar-free construction.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Overall, this is astonishing work.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For one of them to celebrate a career-first win Sunday wouldn’t be all that surprising.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There is great teaching going on, the principal is wonderful.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Claire has been an advocate for courageous stories, an expert at complicated logistics and a wonderful partner to teams across the entire news division.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trade shocking shades like neon green and chartreuse for timeless shades of green that inspire a rejuvenating feel in the morning and a calming atmosphere in the evening.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The payments were introduced following a 2024 assassination attempt on Fico, who was shot and gravely wounded at a pre-election event, shocking the small country and reverberating across Europe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The five-acre private villa estate offers nine startling low-slung beach villas which sit harmoniously in a coconut grove on an undeveloped stretch of volcanic beach on the northern shores.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In my own haze of 'round-the-clock feeds and first-time-parent anxiety, my mom seemed something of a miraculous blur.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Atlanta Hawks guard had just led a miraculous comeback in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The best examples are his stunning goals against Atletico Madrid and Brighton & Hove Albion.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Traditional-style longboats cruise the rivers while skyscrapers with rooftop bars offer stunning views of the temples at night.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astounding. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
