astonishing

[uh-ston-i-shing]

See more synonyms for astonishing on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

Origin of astonishing

First recorded in 1520–30; astonish + -ing²

Related formsas·ton·ish·ing·ly, adverbas·ton·ish·ing·ness, noun

astonish

[uh-ston-ish]

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 formsas·ton·ished·ly, adverbas·ton·ish·er, nounsu·per·as·ton·ish, verbun·as·ton·ished, adjective

Synonyms for astonish

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astound, startle, shock. See surprise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for astonishing

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

Examples from the Web for astonishing

Contemporary Examples of astonishing

After Rosemary offers me some tea, I sit down on the couch with Downey Sr. to discuss his astonishing life, and career.
The Renegade: Robert Downey Sr. on His Classic Films, Son’s Battle with Drugs, and Bill Cosby
Marlow Stern
November 26, 2014
It was astonishing yesterday that he pinned the blame for the attacks on Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah leader.
After the Israel Synagogue Massacre: A New Intifada?
Michael Tomasky
November 19, 2014
Along with contorting, she also performs an astonishing balancing act.
How the Circus Got a Social Conscience
Justin Jones
November 7, 2014
Lepore has an astonishing story and tells it extremely well.
Wonder Woman’s Creation Story Is Wilder Than You Could Ever Imagine
Tom Arnold-Forster
November 3, 2014
The most astonishing came from Ron and Mavis Pirola, a middle-aged Australian couple who have been together for 57 years.
The Vatican's Same-Sex Synod: The Bishops Hear About Reality. Do They Listen?
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 12, 2014

Historical Examples of astonishing

Then with astonishing clearness he saw her hand resting against her breast.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
There is one astonishing instance of this towards the end of the drama.
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris
I am all impatience to hear how this astonishing change was effected.
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
It's astonishing how people forget the vital things, and remember trifles.
Quaint Courtships
Various
It was astonishing how quickly he blushed, how dark red his face became.
The Dream
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for astonishing

astonishing

adjective

causing great surprise or amazement; astounding

Derived Formsastonishingly, adverb

astonish

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

Word Origin and History for astonishing

astonish

c.1300, astonien, from Old French estoner "to stun, daze, deafen, astound," from Vulgar Latin *extonare, from Latin ex- "out" + tonare "to thunder" (see thunder); so, literally "to leave someone thunderstruck." The modern form (influenced by English verbs in -ish, e.g. distinguish, diminish) is attested from c.1530.

No wonder is thogh that she were astoned [Chaucer, "Clerk's Tale"]

Related: Astonished; astonishing; astonishingly.