Cool MateAstonishing to behold vs Breathtaking vs Extraordinary vs Remarkable vs Spectacular
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing to behold
Breathtaking
Extraordinary
Remarkable
Spectacular
| Astonishing to behold | Breathtaking | Extraordinary | Remarkable | Spectacular | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈstɒn.ɪʃ.ɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld//🇺🇸 //əˈstɑː.nɪ.ʃɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld// | 🇬🇧 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/spekˈtækjələ(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/spekˈtækjələr/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising and impressive to see. | Very beautiful or amazing. | very unusual or remarkable | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. | Very impressive or amazing. |
| Example | The view from the mountaintop was astonishing to behold. | The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking. | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. | The coastal road has spectacular scenery. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B2 | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective | ||
| Collocations | astonishing beauty, astonishing talent, astonishing discovery | breathtaking view, breathtaking scenery, breathtaking performance, breathtaking beauty, breathtaking moment | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for | be, look, fairly, rather, very |
| Antonyms | - | undramatic, uninspiring, mundane | ordinary, common, usual | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane | ordinary, unremarkable, mediocre |
| Common mistakes | Using 'astonishing' in informal contexts., Mixing up with 'amazing' when a formal tone is needed. | Confusing with 'breath-taking'; it's one word., Using it for mundane subjects; it must be extraordinary., Using it too frequently loses impact; save for truly stunning things. | Confused with 'ordinary', thinking they are similar., Using inappropriately in very casual chats; feels too formal., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'extra-' part. | Confused with 'remarkable' and 'notable', which have subtle differences in connotation., Using 'remarkable' in a negative context, which doesn't fit its positive meaning., Overusing it; it can sound exaggerated if used too frequently. | Misused as a noun instead of an adjective., Confused with 'spectacle', which refers to an event rather than a description., Overused in everyday conversation, making it sound less impactful. |
| Usage notes | Use in formal contexts such as writing or speeches. Avoid in casual conversations. | Used to describe something that is astonishing or awe-inspiring, often in relation to scenery or accomplishments. Avoid using in overly formal contexts. | Use 'extraordinary' to describe something very special or impressive. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but try to avoid it in everyday casual conversations. | Use 'remarkable' to describe something that is impressive, surprising, or extraordinary. It is neutral in tone, so it can be used in most contexts, including both spoken and written language. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice. | Used to describe something visually striking or exciting. Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but might be less common in very casual speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Astonishing to behold vs Breathtaking vs Extraordinary vs Remarkable vs Spectacular
What's the difference between Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Remarkable, and Spectacular?
Astonishing to behold: Very surprising and impressive to see. Breathtaking: Very beautiful or amazing. Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing. Spectacular: Very impressive or amazing.
Which is more formal: Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Remarkable, and Spectacular?
Astonishing to behold is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Astonishing to behold: The view from the mountaintop was astonishing to behold. Breathtaking: The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking. Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. Spectacular: The coastal road has spectacular scenery.
Can I use Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Remarkable, and Spectacular interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Remarkable, and Spectacular are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.