astonishingly

Astonishingly is an English adverb used to express a high degree of surprise or impressiveness. It commonly modifies verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses, signaling that what is described is unusually surprising or remarkable. For example, “The results were astonishingly consistent” or “Astonishingly, no one was injured.”

The adjective astonishing, from which the adverb is derived, comes from Middle English astonischen, itself from Old French estonner. The ultimate origin is uncertain, but the sense is generally linked to provoking astonishment. By adding the suffix -ly to astonishing, English forms the adverb astonishingly.

In use, astonishingly often appears before the word it modifies to heighten the emphasis, though it can also introduce a clause or be placed after a auxiliary verb: “The team performed astonishingly well,” “The team performed well, astonishingly so.” It can modify verbs (conducted astonishingly quickly), adjectives (astonishingly efficient), or other adverbs (astonishingly, almost quietly). While common in journalism and narrative prose, it is less typical in formal scientific writing, where more precise descriptors are preferred.

stylistic notes: astonishingly is a strong, evaluative term. Writers typically reserve it for situations that genuinely exceed expectations or conventional judgments. Overuse can come across as sensational, so alternatives such as remarkably, surprisingly, or notably may be appropriate in more restrained contexts.

See also: astonishment, astonish, astonishing, adverbs of degree.