Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing overwhelming astonishment or amazement: Describes something so surprising, impressive, or shocking that it is difficult to fully comprehend or believe.
   • Stunning or bewildering: Refers to an effect that can stun, overwhelm, or strike one dumb with wonder.

Usage

The adjective "astounding" is used to describe a fact, event, achievement, or quality that is remarkably and powerfully surprising. It expresses a very high degree of amazement, stronger than words like "surprising" or "interesting." It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem").

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • The magician performed an astounding trick that left the audience speechless.
  • Scientists made an astounding discovery about the deep ocean.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • The sheer scale of the ancient ruins was astounding.
  • It is astounding how quickly technology has evolved.

Advanced Usage

• "find something astounding": To react with great surprise upon learning or observing something.
  • I find it astounding that he managed to learn the language in just three months.
• Used to emphasize the extreme nature of a following fact or clause.
  • With astounding speed, the rescue team reached the stranded hikers.

Variants and Related Words

• Astound (verb): To overwhelm with amazement; to astonish greatly.
  • The final revelation in the movie will astound you.
• Astoundingly (adverb): In an astounding manner.
  • The project was completed astoundingly fast.

Synonyms

• Astonishing: Very surprising.
• Staggering: So great, shocking, or surprising as to be difficult to believe.
• Stupefying: Making someone unable to think or feel properly due to shock or amazement.
• Bewildering: Confusing and surprising.

Antonyms

• Expected: Regarded as likely to happen.
• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
• Unimpressive: Not inspiring respect or admiration.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Nothing short of astounding": Used to emphasize that something is absolutely amazing.
  • Her recovery from the injury was nothing short of astounding.

Adjective

1. so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
   • such an enormous response was astonishing
   • an astounding achievement
   • the amount of money required was staggering
   • suffered a staggering defeat
   • the figure inside the boucle dress was stupefying
2. bewildering or striking dumb with wonder