breathtaking
Leaving you speechless
Breathtaking describes something so striking it seems to momentarily stop your breath—stunning beauty, unexpected news, or overwhelming experience: The view from the summit was breathtaking.
The word implies sudden impact rather than gradual appreciation.
A breathtaking performance astonishes; a breathtaking fall terrifies.
The intensity has softened through overuse, sometimes meaning merely impressive.
Strikingly impressive to behold
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
- awe-inspiringEvoking reverential wonder
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
- mind-blowingOverwhelmingly impressive or shocking
magnificent · extraordinary · incredible · phenomenal · astounding · marvelous · wondrous · sublime
Strikingly beautiful
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- ravishingStrikingly, entrancingly attractive
- strikingNoticeably impressive
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
radiant · resplendent · glorious · splendid · captivating · enchanting · mesmerizing · bewitching
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
canyon · waterfall · glacier · coastline · horizon · valley · mountain · fjord
Intensely exciting
- electrifyingIntensely thrilling or stimulating
- invigoratingImparting fresh energy
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
rush · exciting · stirring · rousing · pulse-quickening · spine-tingling · hair-raising · gripping
spectacular
Strikingly impressive to behold
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
- awe-inspiringEvoking reverential wonder
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
mind-blowing · magnificent · extraordinary · incredible · phenomenal · astounding · marvelous · wondrous · sublime · remarkable
gorgeous
Strikingly beautiful
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- ravishingStrikingly, entrancingly attractive
- strikingNoticeably impressive
dazzling · radiant · resplendent · glorious · splendid · captivating · enchanting · mesmerizing · bewitching · alluring
vista
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- overlookMiss or commanding view
summit · canyon · waterfall · glacier · coastline · horizon · valley · mountain · fjord · cliff
thrilling
Intensely exciting
- electrifyingIntensely thrilling or stimulating
- invigoratingImparting fresh energy
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
adrenaline · rush · exciting · stirring · rousing · pulse-quickening · spine-tingling · hair-raising · gripping · intense
gasp
Sudden sharp breath
wheeze · airless · suffocating · choke
- amazingastonishing, astounding, extraordinary, incredible, jaw-dropping
- attractiveattractive, beautiful, gorgeous, pretty, handsome
- eye-catchingstriking, conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, eye-catching
- travel adjectivesscenic, exotic, adventurous, luxurious, remote
- breathtaking momentsmountain vista, aurora borealis, fireworks, ocean view, scenic overlook
- sublimesublimity, grandeur, vastness, awe, majesty
breathtakingugly
Displeasing to look at
hideous · grotesque · repulsive · disgusting · unsightly
breathtakingunderwhelming
Failing to meet expectations
unremarkable · unimpressive · forgettable · unmemorable · ordinary
breathtakingboring
Failing to engage interest
dull · tedious · uninteresting · unexciting · monotonous
- breathtaking viewScenery of overwhelming beauty