Astonishing vs. Astounding — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 7, 2023
Astonishing refers to great surprises or impresses, while astounding implies a shocking, overwhelming surprise. Both suggest a high impact on perception, but astonishing leans towards impressiveness, astounding towards overwhelming surprise.
Difference Between Astonishing and Astounding
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Key Differences
Astonishing and astounding, both adjectives, pertain to the realms of surprise and amazement. Something astonishing amazes through unexpectedness or exceptionality, often leading to admiration. In contrast, something astounding leaves an individual overwhelmed, often due to its unbelievable or shocking nature.
Astonishing tends to lean towards a surprise that is pleasurable or positive, signifying that the subject is remarkably impressive or noteworthy. Meanwhile, astounding might relate to both positive and negative spectrums of surprise, indicating a strong shock or overwhelm which might be derived from impressive or daunting scenarios.
The use of astonishing might be found in scenarios where the emphasis is on unexpected brilliance or excellence. Astounding, meanwhile, could be employed in contexts where the shocking nature or the overpowering element of surprise is underscored, perhaps due to a staggering scale or impact.
When one finds something astonishing, they find it remarkably surprising or impressive in a manner that could be uplifting or delightful. Astounding leans towards emphasizing the intense impact or shock value, and it can stem from sheer scale, unexpectedness, or the overpowering nature of the subject.
While both astonishing and astounding can be interchangeable in several contexts due to their similarities in denoting something that elicits surprise, their subtle difference lies in the nature and nuance of the surprise – impressiveness versus overwhelming impact.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Meaning
Extremely surprising or impressive
Shockingly surprising and overwhelming
Connotation
More positive or impressive
Can be positive or negative
Degree of Impact
Remarkable
Overpowering or staggering
Typical Usage
Often used for positive achievements
Used for both daunting and impressive
Emotional Response
Admiration or delight
More intense, can be shock or awe
Compare with Definitions
Astonishing
Extremely surprising or impressive.
The magician's tricks were absolutely astonishing.
Astounding
Surprising to a shocking degree.
The astounding facts about the universe were revealed.
Astonishing
Remarkable and unexpectedly brilliant.
She has an astonishing ability to remember numbers.
Astounding
Overwhelmingly unexpected and stunning.
The scientist made an astounding discovery in the field.
Astonishing
Notably excellent or of high quality.
The artist’s astonishing detail in the painting was noteworthy.
Astounding
So remarkable as to elicit disbelief.
His astounding memory allowed him to recall minute details.
Astonishing
Eliciting awe due to unexpectedness.
The astonishing sunset took our breath away.
Astounding
Eliciting a strong impact by surprising immensely.
The movie had an astounding effect on the audience.
Astonishing
Highly improbable and impressive.
The team made an astonishing comeback this season.
Astounding
Exceptional in a way that overwhelms.
The astounding beauty of the landscape left us speechless.
Astonishing
To fill with sudden wonder or amazement.
Astounding
Surprisingly impressive or notable
The summit offers astounding views
Astonishing
Causing astonishment.
Astounding
To astonish and bewilder.
Astonishing
Present participle of astonish
Astounding
Present participle of astound
Astonishing
Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an astonishing event.
Astounding
That astounds or astound.
Astounding success; an astounding spectacle
Astonishing
Surprising greatly;
She does an amazing amount of work
The dog was capable of astonishing tricks
Astounding
Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact.
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
Bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
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
Common Curiosities
Can astounding refer to negative surprise?
Yes, astounding can relate to both positive and negative aspects of surprise, due to its emphasis on the shock factor.
Is "astonishing" more commonly used to describe skills or achievements?
Yes, "astonishing" is often used to highlight unexpected brilliance or excellence in performance, achievements, or skills.
Is something astonishing always positive?
Often, but not necessarily. Astonishing primarily implies impressive surprise, which is generally positive, but it can be used in various contexts.
Could a tragic event be described as "astounding"?
Yes, due to its capacity to convey overwhelming surprise, "astounding" can describe both positive and negative unexpected events.
Can "astonishing" and "astounding" be used interchangeably?
While often used interchangeably due to their similar meanings related to surprise, subtle distinctions in connotations might make one more suitable than the other in certain contexts.
Is "astounding" more intense than "astonishing"?
Potentially. "Astounding" may suggest a level of surprise that overwhelms, possibly indicating a stronger impact or shock compared to "astonishing."
Does "astounding" always convey a sense of disbelief?
Often, yes. "Astounding" tends to imply something so surprising it's almost hard to believe.
Is "astonishing" suitable for describing a person's abilities?
Absolutely. A person's abilities can be described as astonishing when they are unexpectedly or remarkably impressive.
When should I use "astonishing" over "astounding"?
Prefer "astonishing" when emphasizing the impressive, delightful, or positive surprising aspect of something.
Can "astounding" be used to describe a large quantity?
Yes, for example, "an astounding amount" emphasizes a surprisingly large quantity.
Is “astonishing” commonly used in everyday conversation?
While not uncommon, “astonishing” might be reserved for situations that are truly strikingly impressive or unexpected.
How does the adverb form “astonishingly” modify verbs?
“Astonishingly” emphasizes the extreme or unexpected nature of an action, e.g., “She sang astonishingly well.”
Can both "astonishing" and "astounding" be used to describe natural phenomena?
Yes, both can describe surprising aspects of natural phenomena, focusing on impressiveness or overwhelming surprise, respectively.
What is the noun form of "astonishing" and "astounding"?
"Astonishment" and "astoundment" respectively, though "astoundment" is less commonly used.
Does “astounding” imply a sudden shock?
Generally, yes. "Astounding" often suggests a surprising element that causes sudden shock or amazement.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
