gobsmacking
Utterly beyond belief
Gobsmacking means astonishing or astounding—so surprising it metaphorically smacks you in the gob (British slang for mouth).
The word is informal and emphatic: The ending was absolutely gobsmacking.
Something gobsmacking leaves you speechless, mouth agape.
More common in British English, though increasingly heard elsewhere.
Shocking into speechlessness
- stupefyingCausing mental paralysis
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- staggeringShockingly impressive or unsteady
- dumbfoundingRendering someone speechless
mind-blowing · jaw-dropping · thunderstruck · incredulity · disbelief · speechless · floored · blindsided
Beyond what's typical
- remarkableWorthy of attention
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- outstandingExceptionally good or unpaid
- incredibleDefying easy belief
unbelievable · unprecedented · sensational · prodigious · formidable · monumental · colossal · showstopping
Evoking reverential wonder
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- wondrousInspiring deep awe
- miraculousSeemingly impossible yet real
- sublimeAwe-inspiring greatness
marvel · stupendous · phenomenal · spectacular · magnificent · majestic · transcendent · mesmerizing
Causing sudden surprise
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
blindside · bombshell · whopper · sucker-punch · left-field · double-take · surprise · sudden
flabbergasting
Shocking into speechlessness
- stupefyingCausing mental paralysis
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- staggeringShockingly impressive or unsteady
dumbfounding · mind-blowing · jaw-dropping · thunderstruck · incredulity · disbelief · speechless · floored · blindsided · bowled-over
extraordinary
Beyond what's typical
- remarkableWorthy of attention
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- outstandingExceptionally good or unpaid
incredible · unbelievable · unprecedented · sensational · prodigious · formidable · monumental · colossal · showstopping · unmatched
awe-inspiring
Evoking reverential wonder
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- wondrousInspiring deep awe
- miraculousSeemingly impossible yet real
sublime · marvel · stupendous · phenomenal · spectacular · magnificent · majestic · transcendent · mesmerizing · enchanting
startling
Causing sudden surprise
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
curveball · blindside · bombshell · whopper · sucker-punch · left-field · double-take · surprise · sudden · jarring
gobsmackingunsurprising
Causing no astonishment
unremarkable · unimpressive · underwhelming · ordinary · run-of-the-mill
gobsmackingunsurprising
Causing no astonishment
predictable · expected · foreseeable · anticipated · routine