Astonishing Vs Astounding: What’s The Difference?

When you hear the terms “astonishing” and “astounding,” what comes to mind? While the two words may have similar meanings, there is a key difference between them that you should know about. Read on to learn more about this important distinction and how it can affect your writing.

What is Astonishing?

Astonishing is an intense or impressive display. It may also be sudden and unexpected. Astounding is much more than just an intense or impressive display. It is a highly intellectual, complex, and sometimes shocking presentation.

The word “astonishing” is derived from the Latin “astonēre,” meaning “to be astonished.”

What is Astounding?

Astounding is a much more intense word than astonishing. Astounding describes something that is so incredible, amazing, or beyond belief that it leaves the reader speechless.

Some examples of things that could be described as astounding are: finding a new planet orbiting a distant star, seeing an animal cross the road in front of you, or witnessing a natural disaster firsthand.

An example of something that could be described as astonishing is if someone told you they found $100 on the ground. This would be an incredible story, but it wouldn’t be considered astounding.

The Difference Between Astonishing and Astounding

There is a big difference between the two words Astonishing and Astounding. Astonishing means are extremely impressive or wonderful, while Astounding means beyond belief. Here are some examples to help you understand the difference:

Astonishing: The view from the top of the mountain was astonishing.

Astounding: The view from the top of the mountain was beyond belief.

Astonishing could be used to describe something that is very impressive or wonderful, while astounding

For example, you might say that the new product is astonishingly innovative. This would mean that the product is very impressive and something that you would not expect. Alternatively, you might say that the new product is astounding in its scope or size. This would mean that the product is something that is beyond belief and quite amazing.

Astounding could be used to describe something that is very impressive or wonderful. For example, you might say that the new product is astonishingly clever. This would mean that the product is very clever and something that you would not expect. Alternatively, you might say that the new product is astounding in its performance. This would mean that the product is something that is amazing and very impressive.

Comparison of Astonishing and Astounding

Astonishing and astounding are two words that are often confused. They both mean “amazing,” but there is a big difference between the two words. Astonishing means that the event or thing is so extraordinary and shocking that it takes your breath away. Astounding means that the event or thing is so extraordinary and amazing that you are left speechless.

Here are some examples of how the two words can be used:

The car was astounding in its performance.
The game was astonishingly entertaining.
The proposal was astounding!

Astounding is generally used when describing something that is truly amazing, while astonishing is more often used when referring to something that is more shocking than amazing. For example, an astonishing science experiment might be one that astonished the scientists who conducted it, while an astonishing fashion show would be one that astonished the audience.

Conclusion

There is a big difference between Astonishing and Astounding. Astonishing is when something exceeds our expectations and Astounding is when something completely outdoes anything we’ve ever seen before.

The key to understanding this distinction lies in the verb form of each word: Astound means “to stun or astonish” while astonishing means “worthy of astonishment.”

For example, the stunning victory by an NBA team over an opponent would be astonishing, while the equally stunning victory by that same team over another team would be astoundingly impressive.

Astonishing – Something that is amazing and unexpected

Astounding – Something that is so amazing that it stuns or impresses
The Difference Between Astonishing and Astounding

When describing something as astounding, you are trying to convey the level of amazement and disbelief that someone may feel when witnessing or experiencing the thing. For instance, if you tell someone about a breathtaking sight they have never seen before, they will likely feel a sense of awe and wonder.

On the other hand, if you describe sights as astonishing, you are trying to communicate just how amazing and rare it is for something like that to happen. For example, telling someone about an astonishing performance by a rock band might make them feel grateful for such a unique experience.

Astounding – Something that is very impressive and worthy of admiration

Astounding is a more formal word for astounding. The main difference between the two words is that astonishing implies something that makes you exclaim or gasp in surprise, while astounding suggests something that’s so incredible that it leaves you dumbfounded. When used in writing, it’s important to use the correct word to reflect the tone of your text.

For example, if you’re writing about an amazing event, use astounding to describe how amazing it was. If you’re writing about things that just defy explanation or your own understanding, use astonishing instead.

Conclusion

Astonishing and astounding are two words that can be used to describe something in a very positive or negative light. They both have positive and negative connotations, but their meanings are mainly dependent on the context in which they are used.

For example, when you say someone is astonishingly smart, it has a very positive implication – that person is extremely intelligent. When you say someone is astounding at baking cookies, however, it could mean that person is really good at making cookies or that the cookies are particularly impressive.