Astonishing vs. Astounding: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 24, 2023
Astonishing refers to causing great surprise or amazement; astounding implies a level of surprise that overwhelms or stuns, often due to an exceptional quality.
Key Differences
Astonishing often conveys a sense of great surprise or wonder, usually positive or neutral. Astounding, while also implying great surprise, often carries a stronger connotation, suggesting something that overwhelms or stuns, often due to its exceptional nature or magnitude.
Astonishing is used to describe events, achievements, or facts that are surprising and remarkable. While, astounding is typically used in contexts where the level of surprise or disbelief is heightened, often due to something being extraordinary or incredibly impressive.
The emotional response elicited by something astonishing might be wonder or disbelief, but it often remains within a more manageable range of surprise. In contrast, astounding can evoke a deeper sense of awe or shock, reflecting a more intense emotional reaction.
Astonishing might be used for a wide range of scenarios, from simple unexpected happenings to more significant events. However, astounding is often reserved for scenarios of larger scale or higher impact, where the degree of surprise or wonder is notably high.
In terms of linguistic usage, both words are adjectives, but astounding may appear more frequently in contexts emphasizing extreme or unparalleled qualities. Astonishing might be more common in everyday language to describe a broad spectrum of surprising situations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Connotation
Surprise or wonder, often positive
Overwhelming surprise, stronger impact
Typical Usage
Remarkable, surprising events
Extraordinary, overwhelming scenarios
Emotional Response
Wonder, disbelief
Awe, shock, profound amazement
Scope and Scale
Broad range, from simple to significant
Larger scale, high impact events
Linguistic Frequency
Common in everyday language
Often in contexts of extreme qualities
ADVERTISEMENT
Astonishing and Astounding Definitions
Astonishing
Causing great surprise or amazement.
The magician's trick was truly astonishing.
Astounding
Capable of overwhelming with amazement.
The scale of the project is absolutely astounding.
Astonishing
Unexpectedly impressive or surprising.
His knowledge of history is astonishing.
Astounding
Surprisingly impressive or notable.
The team's performance was astounding.
Astonishing
Remarkable or impressively surprising.
Her quick recovery was astonishing.
Astounding
Staggeringly surprising or shocking.
The amount of detail in the artwork is astounding.
Astonishing
Evoking a sense of wonder or disbelief.
The astonishing beauty of the landscape left them speechless.
Astounding
Eliciting a strong emotional response due to its magnitude.
The view from the mountaintop was truly astounding.
Astonishing
Capable of causing astonishment.
The technological advances in the past decade are astonishing.
Astounding
Beyond what is typical or expected.
His memory for numbers is astounding.
Astonishing
To fill with sudden wonder or amazement.
Astounding
To astonish and bewilder.
Astonishing
Causing astonishment.
Astounding
Present participle of astound
Astonishing
Present participle of astonish
Astounding
That astounds or astound.
Astounding success; an astounding spectacle
Astonishing
Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an astonishing event.
Astounding
Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact.
Astonishing
Surprising greatly;
She does an amazing amount of work
The dog was capable of astonishing tricks
Astounding
Bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
Astonishing
So surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm;
Such an enormous response was astonishing
An astounding achievement
The amount of money required was staggering
Suffered a staggering defeat
The figure inside the boucle dress was stupefying
Astounding
So surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm;
Such an enormous response was astonishing
An astounding achievement
The amount of money required was staggering
Suffered a staggering defeat
The figure inside the boucle dress was stupefying
FAQs
Does astonishing always imply a positive reaction?
Not necessarily, it can be neutral or slightly positive.
Can astonishing be used for negative events?
Yes, if they are surprisingly bad or unexpected.
What kind of events are described as astonishing?
Events that cause great surprise or wonder.
What kind of achievements are termed astounding?
Those that are incredibly impressive or unprecedented.
What does astonishing typically imply?
Surprising or amazing in a remarkable way.
Is astonishing more common than astounding?
It's more commonly used in everyday speech.
Is astounding used for everyday occurrences?
Less so; it's reserved for more exceptional cases.
Is astounding appropriate for describing nature?
Yes, especially when it's remarkably beautiful or vast.
What is the primary meaning of astounding?
Something that overwhelms with its remarkable nature.
Is astounding related to shock or awe?
Yes, it often conveys shock or awe due to its magnitude.
Can a story or book be described as astonishing?
Yes, if it's remarkably well-written or surprising.
Can technological advances be called astounding?
Absolutely, especially if they are groundbreaking.
Can astounding imply a negative connotation?
Rarely; it's usually neutral or positive.
What emotions does astounding evoke in art or music?
Feelings of profound admiration or amazement.
Is astonishing used in formal contexts?
It can be, though it's also common in casual speech.
Do astonishing and astounding have similar origins?
Yes, both have roots in Old French and Latin, related to surprise.
Does astonishing relate to physical or abstract things?
Both; it can describe tangible or intangible qualities.
Can a person's skill be astonishing?
Yes, if it's remarkably impressive or unexpected.
How does context affect the use of these words?
It influences the intensity and nature of the surprise conveyed.
What makes a scientific discovery astounding?
Its groundbreaking nature and impact on existing knowledge.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
