Astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Astonishing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is surprising or impressive. An example is: "The magician's performance was truly astonishing." Alternative expressions include "amazing," "incredible," and "remarkable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Warsi's own reasoning is set out in her resignation letter and tweet to David Cameron, an "astonishing charge sheet" in Patrick Wintour's analysis, subtly amplified in Rafael Behr's column.

The Guardian

Astonishing for the Conservative party, because they have got more money than they know what to do with.

The Guardian

She described his conduct as "astonishing" in an exchange between the two.

The Guardian

Lancashire won this face-off at the RTS awards but my vote would be for Hawes, who played the embattled Lindsay Denton in Jed Mercurio's astonishing police thriller Line of Duty.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Successive laws passed by New Labour have pared down our liberty at an astonishing rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

You say I have 'pared down our liberty at an astonishing rate', then list a whole lot of fundamental rights, as if these had all been drastically curtailed.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the end only half that number could be accommodated but to do so the organisers had to hire extra venues to cater for meetings on an astonishing range of social and political topics.

The Guardian

In an astonishing display of power-hitting he scored 24 runs off a single over from Panesar and guided the Australians to 527 for five declared, setting England an insurmountable 557 to win.

The Guardian - Sport

Given his views, was it not astonishing that he should have been given the job by a government described in Nicholas Shaxson's bombshell book Treasure Islands as now being "utterly captured by the financial services industry"?

The Guardian - Business

Manuel Pellegrini, the sword of Abu Dhamocles constantly hovering over his head, will be desperate to finish the season with a sixth victory in a row against a Saints team in a poor run of form (that astonishing first-half, five-goal outlier against Aston Villa apart).

The Guardian - Sport

This is the world so beloved of YouTube circus performers who take titles like Crackdown and Grand Theft Auto and turn them into vast and astonishing stunt shows.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonishing" to describe something that evokes a strong sense of wonder or disbelief. It is best suited for impactful or significant situations.

Common error

Avoid using "astonishing" to describe ordinary or commonplace events. This weakens its impact and can sound hyperbolic. Opt for more moderate descriptors like "surprising" or "interesting" in less dramatic situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "Astonishing" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as strikingly impressive or surprising, evoking a sense of wonder and disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Astonishing" is an adjective used to describe something impressively surprising. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and neutral register. While not extremely frequent, its use in reputable sources, primarily news and media, validates its authority. To enhance writing, reserve "astonishing" for genuinely impactful situations to avoid diluting its effect. Alternatives like "amazing" or "remarkable" can serve as suitable substitutes depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely surprising

Focuses on the unexpected nature of something.

Truly remarkable

Emphasizes the genuineness and outstanding character.

Remarkably impressive

Highlights the admirable quality of something.

Utterly astounding

Highlights the completeness and overwhelming nature of the amazement.

Incredibly wonderful

Emphasizes the positive and delightful aspect.

Deeply impressive

Emphasizes the intensity and profundity of the impression.

Absolutely stunning

Highlights the beauty and visual impact.

Unbelievably impressive

Stresses the difficulty in believing how impressive something is.

Frighteningly amazing

Highlights the disturbing or scary quality.

Positively awe-inspiring

Stresses the feeling of reverence and amazement.

FAQs

How can I use "Astonishing" in a sentence?

Use "Astonishing" to describe something surprisingly impressive or remarkable. For example, "The magician's performance was "astonishing"."

What are some alternatives to "Astonishing"?

Alternatives include "amazing", "remarkable", or "stunning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "Astonishing" in formal writing?

Yes, "Astonishing" is appropriate for formal writing when describing something exceptionally impressive or surprising.

What is the difference between "Astonishing" and "Surprising"?

"Astonishing" implies a greater degree of wonder and disbelief than "surprising". "Astonishing" suggests something is extraordinarily impressive, while "Surprising" simply indicates something unexpected.