ENGLISH
REFERENCE

astonishing

adj.
US //əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ// UK //ɐstˈɒnɪʃɪŋ// as·ton·ish·ing
  1. 1 very surprising (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    extremely surprising or amazing.

    causing great surprise or wonder; often used to describe facts, achievements, or changes that seem nearly impossible.

    Example

    The team made an astonishing recovery after losing the first three games.

    Example

    The speed with which the technology has been adopted globally is truly astonishing, even to those who predicted its success.

    Usage

    usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

    Pitfall
    I was very astonishing by the news.
    I was very astonished by the news.

    Use 'astonishing' to describe the thing that causes the feeling, and 'astonished' to describe the person who feels it.

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