astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is surprising or impressive in a way that causes amazement. Example: "The magician's performance was astonishing, leaving the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Opinion

Tech

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

There has only ever been one British sighting of this butterfly from eastern Europe, in 1953, so last year's invasion of several dozen was astonishing.

The Guardian

Iker Casillas flew to make an astonishing save from José Casado.

The Guardian - Sport

This country has an astonishing record of producing content which is popular all around the world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonishing" to convey a sense of wonder and amazement at something unexpected or impressive. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "astonishing" to describe commonplace events. This diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "astonishing" functions primarily as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Tech

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonishing" is a versatile adjective used to express a high degree of surprise or wonder. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and the arts. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's best reserved for situations where a strong sense of amazement is warranted. Remember to avoid overuse in mundane contexts to maintain its impact. Related alternatives include "amazing", "remarkable", and "incredible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazing

Suggests a high degree of wonder or surprise, similar to "astonishing" but often used more casually.

incredible

Highlights the difficulty in believing something, suggesting it is extraordinary or hard to accept.

remarkable

Implies something noteworthy or exceptional, highlighting its distinction from the ordinary rather than pure surprise.

extraordinary

Indicates something beyond the ordinary, emphasizing its exceptional nature.

surprising

Indicates an unexpected event or quality, focusing on the element of unpredictability.

startling

Suggests a sudden and often alarming surprise, implying a more forceful impact than "astonishing".

unbelievable

Stresses the improbability of something, suggesting it is difficult to accept as true.

staggering

Emphasizes the overwhelming or shocking nature of something, highlighting its magnitude.

mind-blowing

Emphasizes the overwhelming and transformative effect of something, often used informally.

breathtaking

Suggests something beautiful or awe-inspiring, causing a sense of wonder and amazement.

FAQs

How can I use "astonishing" in a sentence?

You can use "astonishing" to describe something surprising or impressive. For example, "The athlete displayed "astonishing speed" during the race" or "The discovery was an "astonishing achievement"".

What are some synonyms for "astonishing"?

Alternatives to "astonishing" include "amazing", "remarkable", "surprising", and "incredible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "astonishing" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong adjective. If the situation is only mildly surprising, a weaker word like "notable" or "interesting" may be more appropriate.

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

"Astonishing" often implies a greater degree of surprise and wonder than "amazing". While both convey a sense of impressiveness, "astonishing" suggests something more unexpected or remarkable.