B2adjectiveemotionsmedia
US/əˈstɑː.nɪ.ʃɪŋ/
UK/əˈstɒn.ɪ.ʃɪŋ/
very surprising, in a way that is hard to believe
In context
The speed of the city's growth in just ten years is astonishing.
She showed astonishing courage when she saved the child from the river.
It is astonishing that nobody noticed the mistake for so long.
Words that go with astonishing
adjective + noun
- astonishing numberAn astonishing number of people turned up.
- astonishing speedThe car reached an astonishing speed in seconds.
- astonishing successThe film had astonishing success abroad.
- astonishing discoveryScientists made an astonishing discovery in the cave.
adverb + adjective
- absolutely astonishingThe view from the top was absolutely astonishing.
- truly astonishingHer memory is truly astonishing.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I was astonishing by the result.Correct: I was astonished by the result.