astonishingas‧ton‧ish‧ing /əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ $ əˈstɑː-/ ●○○ adjective 
Examples
an astonishing decision their astonishing success► see thesaurus at surprising—astonishingly adverb: an astonishingly good voice
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Their album has sold an astonishing 11 million copies.
- I am still left aghast at the astonishing numbers of totally incompatible cichlids that are sometimes crammed into remarkably small tanks.
- It has been an astonishing transformation in opinions and attitudes, within the course of a few short weeks.
- Moreover, many widely reported accounts of astonishing experiences are elaborations or flat lies.
- The transition in coach Gerry Murphy's side in the subsequent weeks has been quite astonishing.
- They contained fresh and astonishing details of underground movements and midnight rendezvous.
- To actually see crabs scuttling across the floor and live sponges and even real live fish was astonishing.
- What is even more astonishing is that you can see the Wellestream more easily with every passing year.
THESAURUS► surprising
Collocations making you feel surprised: · It’s surprising how quickly you get used to it.· We got some very surprising results.
► astonishing/astounding very surprising. Astounding sounds a little more formal and a little stronger than astonishing: · The results of the tests were astounding.· Things are changing at an astonishing speed.
► extraordinary very unusual and surprising: · It is extraordinary that such a young boy should be so good at maths.
► amazing very surprising – used especially about good or impressive things: · an amazing achievement· It’s amazing what you can do when you really try.
► staggering very surprising, especially by being so large: · The project cost a staggering $8 million.
► unbelievable (also incredible) so surprising that you can hardly believe it: · It is unbelievable that she is only the same age as me.· The incredible thing is that he thinks he is ugly.
Longman Language Activatormaking you feel surprised► surprising · A surprising number of teenagers leave school without being able to read and write.· Some of the conclusions in the report were quite surprising.it is surprising (that) · Wasn't it surprising that so few people came to the party?it is surprising to see/find/ learn etc · In such a small town it was surprising to find so many really good restaurants.it is surprising how/what etc · Liddy really didn't want to change school, but it was surprising how quickly she got used to the new one.
► amazing very surprising - use this especially about something very good or impressive: · Hong Kong is an absolutely amazing city.· What an amazing achievement!it is amazing how/what: · It's amazing how much work you can do in a day if you put your mind to it.it is amazing that: · After 2000 years, it's amazing that the inscriptions are still clear enough to read.it's amazing to see/find/think etc: · Isn't it amazing to think that men have actually stood on the moon?
► astonishing/astounding something that is astonishing or astounding is so surprising that it is difficult to believe: · If you watch the way a spider makes its web, it's really astonishing.· The submarine was moving through the water at an astonishing speed.· The results of the tests were astounding.· In the area around London, house prices rose by an astounding 200 per cent in three years.it is astonishing/astounding that: · It was astounding that, as a mother, Sally also managed to do two jobs.it is astonishing how/what: · It's astonishing how much things have changed since the arrival of computers.it is astonishing to find/think/realize etc: · Isn't it astonishing to think that people may one day live for hundreds of years?
► unbelievable/incredible extremely surprising and difficult to believe: · He's so rude. It's unbelievable!· Over the next two weeks, we saw an incredible change in her character.it is unbelievable/incredible that: · They were driving much too fast. It's incredible that no-one was hurt.it is unbelievable how/what: · I think it was really unbelievable how he went on deceiving her for all those years.it is unbelievable to see/think/realize etc: · It's unbelievable to think how slow things were in the days before e-mail.
► unexpected something that is unexpected makes you feel surprised because you did not expect it to happen or be true: · Her decision to leave was completely unexpected.· The new drug comes from an unexpected source -- potatoes.· Ella's angry outburst was so unexpected that Mike really didn't know what to say.
► startling a startling fact is one that you would never have expected to be true: · There has been a startling increase in the numbers of homeless people.· The programme documents startling new theories about the way the universe began.
► staggering a staggering number or amount is very surprising because it is so large: · Apparently, we spend a staggering £2.4 billion a year on food for our pets.· a staggering rise in crime· The results of the survey were staggering - over half the children said that they went to school without any breakfast.
► mind-boggling informal something that is mind-boggling is so big, strange, or complicated that it is almost impossible to imagine or believe: · The amount of money that some countries spend on weapons is mind-boggling.· His salary is nothing compared to the mind-boggling figures earned by some sportsmen.it is mind-boggling to think/realize etc: · It's mind-boggling to think that our solar system is only one among billions.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► most
so surprising that it is difficult to believe SYN amazing: · Yet nowhere do these prefaces warn us that certain editors have taken the most astonishing liberties with the music.· The most astonishing item, however, is a piece of peasant work.· Perhaps the most astonishing changes of all occur for the average changes for Shire Districts within each County.· Nevertheless out came some of the most astonishing, though very practical ways to both have your cake and eat it.
► quite· Judge Harper said that he found this quite astonishing.· The transition in coach Gerry Murphy's side in the subsequent weeks has been quite astonishing.· It was, he said, an offence of quite astonishing incompetence.· It is quite astonishing in view of Handel's vast output quite what a consistent and imaginative composer he was.· I must say it is quite astonishing how the Ryder Cup has captured the imagination of the U.S. golfing fraternity.
NOUN► speed· Now, within a few days, the shape of their bodies changes with astonishing speed.· Word of the feud arrived in Britain with astonishing speed.· The atmosphere of grey repression that clung to the eastern side of the city is being purged at an astonishing speed.· If one were to count heads, particularly among younger economists, Keynesian ideas were being eclipsed at quite an astonishing speed.· With astonishing speed prime spots in streets known for fashionable shopping before the second world war are being snapped up.· At this moment the snake strikes, flinging its neck towards its victim at the astonishing speed of 8 feet per second.
an astonishing decision their astonishing success► see thesaurus at surprising—astonishingly adverb: an astonishingly good voice