What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
staggering
Example
The company reported a staggering profit increase of 200%. [staggering: adjective]
Example
The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is staggering. [staggering: adjective]
Example
I was left staggering by the news of his sudden death. [staggering: verb]
astounding
Example
The magician's performance was astounding, leaving the audience in awe. [astounding: adjective]
Example
The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely astounding. [astounding: adjective]
Example
It's astounding that she was able to finish the marathon in under three hours. [astounding: conjunction]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Astounding is less common than staggering in everyday language. Staggering is often used in news reports or articles to describe large numbers or amounts, while astounding is more commonly used in creative writing or storytelling to describe remarkable achievements or accomplishments.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between staggering and astounding?
Both staggering and astounding are formal words that are typically used in written or spoken English to convey a sense of amazement or disbelief. However, staggering may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with news reporting or statistical analysis.
