Definitions
- Describing something that is extremely surprising or shocking. - Referring to an event or situation that is beyond what was expected or anticipated. - Talking about something that leaves people amazed or in disbelief.
- Describing something that is unexpected or catches someone off guard. - Referring to a situation or outcome that is not what was predicted or foreseen. - Talking about something that causes mild or moderate surprise.
List of Similarities
- 1Both describe something that goes beyond what was expected.
- 2Both evoke a sense of surprise or amazement.
- 3Both can be used to express unexpected outcomes or events.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Astonishing implies a stronger level of surprise or shock compared to surprising, which is more mild or moderate.
- 2Expectations: Astonishing suggests that the event or situation is completely unexpected, while surprising indicates that it deviates from what was predicted or foreseen.
- 3Impact: Astonishing often leaves people amazed or in disbelief, while surprising may cause a lesser degree of surprise.
- 4Frequency: Surprising is more commonly used in everyday language, while astonishing is less common and may be reserved for more extraordinary situations.
Remember this!
Astonishing and surprising are synonyms that both convey a sense of surprise or amazement. However, astonishing is used to describe something that is extremely surprising or shocking, going beyond what was expected, while surprising refers to something unexpected or not predicted. Astonishing carries a stronger impact and is less commonly used compared to surprising.
