Absolutely astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Absolutely astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong admiration or surprise about something remarkable or impressive. Example: "The magician's performance was absolutely astonishing, leaving the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Absolutely astonishing".

The New York Times - Arts

"It's absolutely astonishing".

The New York Times

Her war was absolutely astonishing.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Harrison added: "It's absolutely astonishing.

Independent

To me it is absolutely astonishing.

The Guardian - Arts

It was absolutely astonishing to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Glass is an absolutely astonishing feat of miniaturization and integration.

The New York Times

She described Gatiss as "an absolutely astonishing actor.

The Guardian

"It's absolutely astonishing the idea that can happen," Battle added.

The Guardian

It's an absolutely astonishing gift to us and to our audiences".

The New York Times

Nick Harvey, the former Liberal Democrat defence minister, described the announcement as "absolutely astonishing".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely astonishing" to convey a strong sense of surprise or admiration when describing something truly remarkable. It's more impactful than simply saying "amazing" or "surprising".

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely astonishing" to describe everyday occurrences. Reserve it for situations or events that genuinely inspire awe or disbelief to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "absolutely astonishing" is to act as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the description, conveying a strong sense of wonder, surprise, or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely astonishing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey intense surprise, admiration, or disbelief. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. While versatile, it's best reserved for truly remarkable situations to maintain its impact. Related phrases include "utterly astounding" and "truly remarkable", each with slightly different nuances. Avoid overuse in mundane contexts to prevent diluting its effect. The phrase is well-regarded, as reflected in its high expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely astounding

A synonym that mirrors the original phrase in intensity and structure.

utterly astounding

Emphasizes the degree of amazement, similar to "absolutely astonishing" but with a slightly different tone.

completely flabbergasting

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed with surprise or shock.

truly remarkable

Focuses on the exceptional or noteworthy nature of something, rather than just the surprise it evokes.

incredibly impressive

Expresses a high degree of admiration.

genuinely awe-inspiring

Indicates that something fills one with a sense of wonder and respect.

simply incredible

A more informal way of expressing strong disbelief or admiration.

exceptionally stunning

Combines the ideas of something being both unusual and beautiful.

thoroughly impressive

Stresses the positive impact and skill evident in something.

wholly unexpected

Highlights the surprise element, suggesting something was completely unforeseen.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely astonishing" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely astonishing" to describe something that is extremely surprising or impressive. For example, "The magician's performance was absolutely astonishing." It emphasizes the degree of amazement.

What are some alternatives to "absolutely astonishing"?

Alternatives to "absolutely astonishing" include "utterly astounding", "truly remarkable", or "completely flabbergasting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "absolutely astonishing" in formal writing?

Yes, "absolutely astonishing" can be used in formal writing, especially when conveying a strong sense of surprise or admiration. However, consider the audience and the overall tone of your writing; a more restrained phrase might be preferable in some contexts.

What's the difference between "absolutely astonishing" and "absolutely amazing"?

"Absolutely astonishing" suggests a greater degree of surprise or disbelief than "absolutely amazing". While both express strong positive feelings, "absolutely astonishing" implies something more unexpected or extraordinary.