definitions

astonishing

[ uh-ston-i-shing ]
/ əˈstɒn ɪ ʃɪŋ /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR astonishing ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing astonishment or surprise; amazing: an astonishing victory; an astonishing remark.

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RELATED WORDS

startling, breathtaking, impressive, spectacular, striking, staggering, astounding, amazing, extraordinary, stunning, wonderful, miraculous, wondrous, marvelous, bewildering, stupefying, stupendous

Nearby words

astomia, aston, aston dark space, astonied, astonish, astonishing, astonishment, astor, astoria, astound, astounding

Origin of astonishing

First recorded in 1520–30; astonish + -ing2

Related forms

as·ton·ish·ing·ly, adverbas·ton·ish·ing·ness, noun

Definition for astonishing (2 of 2)

astonish

[ uh-ston-ish ]
/ əˈstɒn ɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze: Her easy humor and keen intellect astonished me.

Origin of astonish

1525–35; Middle English astonyen, astonen, probably < dialectal Old French *astoner, Old French estoner < Vulgar Latin *extonāre, for Latin attonāre to strike with lightning, equivalent to ex- ex-1, at- at- + tonāre to thunder; extended by -ish2, perhaps reflecting Anglo-French *astonir < dialectal Old French

Related forms

as·ton·ished·ly, adverbas·ton·ish·er, nounsu·per·as·ton·ish, verbun·as·ton·ished, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for astonishing

British Dictionary definitions for astonishing (1 of 2)

astonishing

/ (əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ) /

adjective

causing great surprise or amazement; astounding

Derived Forms

astonishingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for astonishing (2 of 2)

astonish

/ (əˈstɒnɪʃ) /

verb

(tr) to fill with amazement; surprise greatly

Word Origin for astonish

C15: from earlier astonyen (see astonied), from Old French estoner, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested) to strike with thunder, from Latin tonāre to thunder
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012