Astonishing is an adjective describing something so surprising or impressive that it provokes wonder or disbelief. It conveys strong, often immediate reaction and can be used to emphasize the remarkable nature of an event, object, or person. In usage, it tends to appear in contexts ranging from casual astonishment to formal appraisal of unusual outcomes.
"The magician pulled off an astonishing illusion that left the audience gasping."
"Her rapid ascent to fame was astonishing to many seasoned critics."
"The scientist released astonishing data that challenged long-held theories."
"What you accomplished in such a short time is truly astonishing."
Astonishing derives from the verb astonish, which in turn comes from Middle English astonisen (late 14th century), rooted in the Old French estoner, meaning to stun or overpower. The French estonner likely from a Germanic source related to stun or stun-like verbs, with associations to causing wonder or confusion. The suffix -ing attached to astonish produced the present participle and adjective form as in English, giving “astonishing” to describe something that causes astonishment. Over time, the sense broadened from physical or sudden disruption to more general, intense surprise or awe. First known use in English appears in the late 14th to early 15th century, aligning with Middle English literature in which “astonish” captured both literal and rhetorical shocks. In modern usage, astonishing often functions as a strong evaluative modifier, sometimes bordering on hyperbole when paired with nouns referencing extraordinary feats, phenomena, or performances.
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Words that rhyme with "Astonishing"
-ing sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Standard pronunciation places primary stress on the second syllable: ə-STON-ɪʃ-ɪŋ. In US IPA: /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/. In UK: /əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/. In AU: /əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/. Start with a neutral schwa, then a clear, brief ‘STON’ vowel, and finish with a light ‘-ish-ing’ with a soft jaw closure.”,
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (as-TON-ish-ing is wrong; the stress is on the second syllable). Another pitfall is diluting the ‘ston’ to a lax vowel or slurring the final '-ing' so it sounds like '-in' or '-ing' with a vague ending. Correct by isolating /ˈston/ with a crisp, mid-back vowel and ensuring the ending /ɪʃɪŋ/ clips quickly, not dragging. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the second-syllable stress.
US often uses a deeper /ɑː/ in the ‘ston’ and a more pronounced final /ɪŋ/. UK tends to a shorter /ɒ/ in the same syllable and slightly lighter /ɪŋ/ ending. Australian tends toward a centralized vowel in the second syllable with similar rhotic tendencies to US depending on speaker. Regardless, the secondary stress remains on the second syllable; the main cue is the strong /ˈston/ onset in all three. IPA cues help lock the vowel shift.
Two main challenges: the strong stress on the second syllable and the quick, crisp transition into the /ɪʃɪŋ/ ending. The /t/ in /ston/ must be precise (not a flap), and the /ʃ/ before the final /ɪŋ/ should be light but audible. The cluster /nɪ/ can trigger a slight nasal assimilation if spoken too fast. Slow it down, anchor the /ston/ with a clear vowel, then glide into /ɪʃɪŋ/ without adding extra vowels.
Yes—stress pattern and the 'ston' vowel are pivotal. The word hinges on the second syllable’s prominence; you’ll often hear non-native speakers giving equal weight to all syllables, which weakens the word’s impact. Focus on a strong second-syllable onset /stɒn/ or /stɑːn/ depending on the accent, then deliver the ending /ɪʃɪŋ/ crisply. This distinct rhythm helps you sound natural and confident when using astonishing in praise or description.
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