What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
astonishing
Example
The magician's tricks were astonishing. [astonishing: adjective]
Example
The news of her sudden promotion was astonishing. [astonishing: verb]
surprising
Example
It was surprising to see him at the party since he rarely attends social events. [surprising: adjective]
Example
The test results were surprising, as they showed a significant improvement. [surprising: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surprising is more commonly used in everyday language, covering a wide range of contexts, while astonishing is less common and is typically reserved for more extraordinary situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between astonishing and surprising?
Both astonishing and surprising can be used in both formal and informal contexts, with no significant difference in formality.
