Astounding is an adjective describing something that astonishes or overwhelms with surprise or amazement. It conveys a strong, impressive impact and is used for events, feats, or appearances that are notably surprising. The term typically appears in formal or elevated contexts as well as expressive conversation to emphasize wonder.
-</w> • You might misplace stress, saying /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/ instead of /ˈæˌstaʊndɪŋ/. Focus on opening with a crisp /æ/ then a brief secondary emphasis on /aʊ/. - • Another error is blurring the /nd/ into /n/ or /ŋ/, giving /ˈæstaʊŋɪŋ/. Ensure the /n/ is followed by a clear /d/ release and the /ɪŋ/ ending remains distinct. - • Some learners flatten the /aʊ/ diphthong to a monophthong /aː/; practice maintaining the proper /aʊ/ glide from /æ/ to /aʊ/ before the /nd/.
US: maintain a strong initial /æ/, with a less pronounced second syllable stress; keep the /aʊ/ diphthong crisp and let the /nd/ be a released cluster. UK: similar initial /æ/ but may feature a slightly tighter jaw and a more clipped /t/; ensure an audible /n/ before /d/. AU: often broader vowel qualities, but keep the diphthong intact and avoid over-raising the tongue. IPA references: US /ˈæˌstaʊndɪŋ/, UK /ˈæ.staʊn.dɪŋ/, AU /ˈæ.staʊn.dɪŋ/.
"The scientist presented an astounding discovery that challenged existing theories."
"Her performance was truly astounding, leaving the audience speechless."
"The cost of the new bridge was astoundingly high, prompting public scrutiny."
"The view from the mountain was astounding, with colors you’d never seen before."
Astounding comes from the verb astonish, which traces to the Old French estesonir, from estoner or astoncer, meaning to cause to be astonished. The English form astonish emerged in Middle English around the 14th century, combining a sense of lifting or staggering with surprise. By the 16th–17th centuries, astounding began to appear as a participial adjective derived from the verb, intensifying the meaning of causing astonishment. The suffix -ing signals ongoing action or state, so “astounding” describes something that continuously induces astonishment. The word’s usage has remained fairly formal through literature and journalism, but it has permeated everyday speech in a hyperbolic register when emphasizing remarkable feats, discoveries, or events. Its semantic field centers on overwhelming surprise rather than mere admiration, distinguishing it from milder terms like impressive or remarkable.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Astounding" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Astounding"
-ing sounds
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Astounding is pronounced as /ˈæˌstaʊndɪŋ/ in US/UK/AU. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: AST-ownding, with a secondary stress on the second syllable’s
Common errors include misplacing the stress by saying /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/ or flattening the vowel in the first syllable to a schwa. The correct primary stress is on the first syllable. Also, learners sometimes shorten the middle /aʊ/ to /a/ or mispronounce the ending as /-ən/ instead of /-ɪŋ/.
In US/UK/AU, the main difference is vowel quality in the first syllable: US often uses /æ/ as in cat, UK agrees, AU also uses /æ/. The /ˌstaʊn/ part has a consistent /aʊ/ diphthong. Rhoticity does not alter the word’s vowels but can influence pace and intonation in connected speech across accents.
The combination of a stressed initial syllable and a close to open fall in the /aʊ/ diphthong can challenge non-native speakers. Also, the cluster -st- plus -nd- produces a tight, quick transition. Practice sustaining the /æ/ with a clear onset and a crisp /aʊ/ glide before the /nd/ to avoid blending into /æst-ound-ɪŋ/.
A distinctive feature is the strong initial stress followed by a lighter, rapid second syllable. You’ll notice a brief pause or slight elevation before the /aʊ/ diphthong, making the word sound punchy and dramatic in speech. Focus on keeping the /t/ clear before /aʊ/ and not allowing the /t/ to soften into a flap.
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