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
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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
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Recent Examples of astounding
Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
And maybe not instead, but at the same time, were increasing their focus on advertising, driving people towards and within this McDonald’s app, which now has like a hundred million people on it, which is a truly astounding number.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Add in Microsoft—which has not given a specific capex forecast but which spent $100 billion over the past twelve months—and the sum is all the more astounding.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
An astounding 21 teams will have a new OC next season.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astounding
Adjective
Even more astounding is the lack of competition in individual states, some of which see far less competition than others.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
And maybe not instead, but at the same time, were increasing their focus on advertising, driving people towards and within this McDonald’s app, which now has like a hundred million people on it, which is a truly astounding number.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Add in Microsoft—which has not given a specific capex forecast but which spent $100 billion over the past twelve months—and the sum is all the more astounding.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
An astounding 21 teams will have a new OC next season.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astounding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astounding
Adjective
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One amazing season gets him almost 40% of the vote.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Duffers, our wonderful, amazing creators, wanted to leave everybody with this level of optimism that the show has always given everyone.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With the Games heading to France in 2030, there is work underway to include this astonishing sport into the schedule, but Billy says the speed skiing community is also content with its current position.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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To belittle the journalist asking about these claims in such sexist terms is astonishing.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There is one surprising tool that can avoid all the sneezing and cleanup that this job usually entails.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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The style of proof that the LLMs came up with was particularly surprising, Abouzaid says.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Playing a thinly disguised version of himself, Reynolds is, as Schneeberger and Neibaur point out, funny, exasperating, and moving, and Rifkin’s impeccable tailoring of the role to fit his star gives Reynolds a wonderful summation with which to end his career.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
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Welcome to the wonderful world of better coffee.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Virgo August 23 – September 22 Change doesn’t have to be shocking right now (even though today’s aspects involve Uranus).—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Certain connections could use a rebalance during this alignment of stubborn Venus and shocking Uranus across your connection zone and your business sector.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Each year, startling rises in defense spending seem nearer, but do not bring change.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Nevils shares startling data to support these expert testimonies.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Barring a miraculous post-All-Star break turnaround, Milwaukee appears unlikely to reach the postseason.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Junior’s miraculous shot saved his own life.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hašek led the Czechs on a stunning run to a gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Save 47 percent on a stunning coffee table book that adds color and doubles as an instant conversation starter.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Astounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astounding. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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