astounding

1 of 2

adjective

as·​tound·​ing ə-ˈstau̇n-diŋ 

: causing astonishment or amazement

an astounding revelation

astoundingly

ə-ˈstau̇n-diŋ-lē 

adverb

astounding

2 of 2

present participle of astound entry 1

Synonyms of astounding

Adjective

• amazing
• surprising
• startling
• stunning
• shocking
• astonishing

Examples of astounding in a Sentence

Adjective

He ate an astounding amount of food.

the astounding sight of their cat returning home after having been missing for two years

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This heat wave has easily been at its worst in Southern California, where a high temperature of an astounding 105 degrees was measured in San Diego near the water Saturday. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The frustration that seethes through the show is often born of the disappointment that a form as quicksilver and astounding as songwriting can be yoked to small-minded and propagandistic ends. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Still, more people are beginning to worry about the risks of the technology that has dazzled the world with its astounding capabilities. — Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Just over three years ago in Guatemala, a coalition of young and Indigenous voters helped propel Bernardo Arévalo, a reformer who campaigned against corruption, to an astounding presidential win. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of astound entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1590, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for astounding

• abounding
• compounding
• confounding
• expounding
• foregrounding
• impounding
• propounding
• rebounding
• resounding
• surrounding
• bounding
• founding