astonishingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "astonishingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb used to emphasize the degree or extent of something, usually used before an adjective or adverb to show that the degree is greater than expected. For example: "The results of the experiment were astonishingly positive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Astonishingly, ECB chairman Jean-Claude Trichet said in a press conference on Thursday that the central bank had to stick to its "doctrine" – a word closer to strict Catholic rule than to the ever changing financial markets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ministers who might have forseen impending disasters were left astonishingly ignorant of major developments in their portfolios.

The Guardian

"Lake Oku is an astonishingly beautiful lake," said Doherty-Bone.

The Guardian

Scott Stossel, deputy editor of the Atlantic magazine, went a step further and joked on his Twitter feed: "Huntsman daughters and Romney sons should get together and breed, creating a super-race of astonishingly beautiful Mormons".

The Guardian

Brines, who also astonishingly failed to award Celtic a late penalty on Tuesday, offered the latest evidence that Scotland's referees are bad, not biased.

The Guardian - Sport

But I'm still surprised that an awards jury didn't go for it – it doesn't feature in the drama-series or mini-series categories at all, with Hugo Blick's astonishingly spare writing passed over entirely.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

From busy roads to quiet estate pathways, canal towpaths to back streets, they move with astonishingly little regard for anyone else, leaving old and young, pedestrians and fellow two-wheelers spinning in their self-righteous wake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Astonishingly in the judge's ruling today, Oldfield was accused of "prejudice" in relation to the rowers, but the judiciary don't see fit to accuse themselves of the same thing – 78% of judges are Oxbridge-educated.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's also an astonishingly beautiful city – if you can raise your eyes from the plate long enough to appreciate it.

The Guardian - Travel

Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti were superb until, astonishingly, Laurent Blanc took off Verratti with half an hour to play and PSG just a goal behind.

The Guardian - Sport

Stellar box office figures, sobbing acclaim and – astonishingly – near-blockbuster status in the US, means that Paddington has mutated into a bona fide cinematic hit.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astonishingly" to add emphasis when you want to express a high degree of surprise or impressiveness. It is effective for highlighting unexpected outcomes or remarkable qualities.

Common error

While "astonishingly" is acceptable in most contexts, overuse can diminish its impact. In highly formal or academic writing, consider more neutral alternatives like "significantly" or "notably" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "astonishingly" functions primarily as an intensifier, modifying adjectives, verbs, or adverbs to heighten their impact and express a sense of surprise or disbelief. As Ludwig AI reports, it's used to emphasize the degree or extent of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astonishingly" is a versatile adverb used to express surprise or emphasize a high degree of something. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While suitable for many situations, it's advisable to consider less emotive or more neutral alternatives in highly formal or scientific writing. Related phrases include "surprisingly" and "remarkably". Overusing "astonishingly" can diminish its impact, so vary your vocabulary for effective communication. Remember to highlight remarkable qualities and unexpected outcomes with the use of "astonishingly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprisingly

Highlights the unexpected nature of something, similar to "astonishingly" but with a focus on the surprise element.

remarkably

Emphasizes the exceptional quality of something, akin to "astonishingly" in conveying a high degree.

incredibly

Stresses the unbelievable aspect of something, like "astonishingly" but focusing on credibility.

amazingly

Focuses on the wonder or awe inspired by something, similar to "astonishingly" but more emotive.

unbelievably

Underscores the difficulty in believing something, much like "astonishingly" does with surprise.

exceptionally

Highlights that something is outside the norm, in a very positive and surprising way as "astonishingly" does.

extraordinarily

Stresses how something is beyond the ordinary, similar to the emphasis that "astonishingly" put on its high degree.

stunningly

Focuses on the beauty of something in a manner that causes surprise, linking it with "astonishingly" through shock and awe.

startlingly

Emphasizes the abruptness or shock of something, sharing the surprise component of "astonishingly".

wonderfully

Highlights the positive and delightful aspect of something, as "astonishingly" can in certain contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "astonishingly" in a sentence?

"Astonishingly" is an adverb that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, typically to express surprise or impressiveness. For example, "The magician performed an "astonishingly difficult" trick", or "The data was "astonishingly accurate"".

What words are similar to "astonishingly"?

Synonyms and near-synonyms for "astonishingly" include "surprisingly", "remarkably", "incredibly", and "amazingly". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "astonishingly" or "surprisingly"?

Both "astonishingly" and "surprisingly" indicate something unexpected, but "astonishingly" often carries a stronger sense of wonder or disbelief. Use "astonishingly" when you want to emphasize the degree of amazement.

Can "astonishingly" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "astonishingly" can be used in formal writing, but consider your audience and the overall tone. In some contexts, a more neutral term like "significantly" or "notably" might be more appropriate. Make sure your writing is not "astonishingly verbose".