astonishing
Beyond all expectation
Astonishing describes something that causes great surprise or wonder—remarkable enough to momentarily stun: The magician performed an astonishing trick.
It implies more intensity than surprising but less than shocking.
Something astonishing defies expectation in a way that demands attention: an astonishing recovery, astonishing speed.
Defying easy belief
- extraordinaryBeyond what's typical
- remarkableWorthy of attention
- phenomenalExceptionally impressive or unusual
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
mind-blowing · jaw-dropping · unbelievable · stupendous · prodigious · staggering · overwhelming · spectacular
Extremely shocked or amazed
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
- staggeredShocked or unevenly spaced
floored · shell-shocked · speechless · slack-jawed · aghast · reeling · bowled over · poleaxed
Strikingly beautiful
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
- radiantEmitting light or joy
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- strikingNoticeably impressive
resplendent · glorious · ravishing · breathtaking · splendid · luminous · bewitching · enchanting
Remarkable act of skill
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
marvel · wonder · prodigy · genius · virtuosity · brilliance · innovation · accomplishment
Not anticipated beforehand
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
shocking · unpredictable · bolt from the blue · out of nowhere · blindsiding · caught off guard · eye-opening · revelatory
Evoking reverential wonder
- wondermentAwed astonishment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- humblingDiminishing one's pride
- majesticImpressively dignified and beautiful
grand · monumental · epic · towering · larger than life · spellbinding · mesmerizing · captivating
incredible
Defying easy belief
- extraordinaryBeyond what's typical
- remarkableWorthy of attention
- phenomenalExceptionally impressive or unusual
breathtaking · mind-blowing · jaw-dropping · unbelievable · stupendous · prodigious · staggering · overwhelming · spectacular · magnificent
thunderstruck
Extremely shocked or amazed
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
staggered · floored · shell-shocked · speechless · slack-jawed · aghast · reeling · bowled over · poleaxed · dazed
gorgeous
Strikingly beautiful
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
- radiantEmitting light or joy
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
striking · resplendent · glorious · ravishing · breathtaking · splendid · luminous · bewitching · enchanting · drop-dead
feat
Remarkable act of skill
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
- breakthroughSudden important advance
triumph · marvel · wonder · prodigy · genius · virtuosity · brilliance · innovation · accomplishment · milestone
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
sudden · shocking · unpredictable · bolt from the blue · out of nowhere · blindsiding · caught off guard · eye-opening · revelatory · bombshell
awe-inspiring
Evoking reverential wonder
- wondermentAwed astonishment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- humblingDiminishing one's pride
majestic · grand · monumental · epic · towering · larger than life · spellbinding · mesmerizing · captivating · enthralling
- unbelievableunbelievable, incredible, inconceivable, implausible, unthinkable
- amazingbreathtaking, extraordinary, incredible, jaw-dropping, magnificent
- expressions of awewow, whoa, amazing, awesome, incredible
- awe-inspiringawe-inspiring, awesome, breathtaking, jaw-dropping, magnificent
- Mysticalethereal, otherworldly, supernatural, numinous, transcendent
- exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
astonishingunsurprising
Causing no astonishment
expected · predictable · foreseeable · anticipated · routine
astonishingunremarkable
Not worthy of comment
ordinary · mundane · commonplace · common · run-of-the-mill
astonishingboring
Failing to engage interest
dull · uninteresting · tedious · uninspiring · unimpressive