astounding

Astounding is an English adjective describing something that causes great surprise, wonder, or disbelief. It is used for events, achievements, or appearances that exceed ordinary expectations and provoke a strong emotional reaction. The term emphasizes the magnitude of the surprise and often carries a sense of admiration or incredulity rather than mere surprise.

Origin and form: Astounding is derived from the verb astound, and the -ing form serves as a participial adjective. The verb itself dates to Middle English and is related to words such as astonish; the sense centers on striking or shocking someone with suddenness.

Usage: In formal writing and journalism, astounding is used to amplify description, but it can be perceived as hyperbolic if overused. It commonly collocates with nouns like achievement, discovery, feat, performance, result. It may be used in scientific contexts to describe surprising data, though cautious phrasing is advised when the result is tentative.

Examples: The project's astounding growth surprised analysts. The team achieved an astounding turnaround within weeks.

See also: astonish, astonishment, extraordinary.