Cool MateAstonishing to behold vs Breathtaking vs Extraordinary vs Spectacular vs Stunning
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing to behold
Breathtaking
Extraordinary
Spectacular
Stunning
| Astonishing to behold | Breathtaking | Extraordinary | Spectacular | Stunning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈstɒn.ɪʃ.ɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld//🇺🇸 //əˈstɑː.nɪ.ʃɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld// | 🇬🇧 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/spekˈtækjələ(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/spekˈtækjələr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈstʌnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstʌnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising and impressive to see. | Very beautiful or amazing. | very unusual or remarkable | Very impressive or amazing. | Very beautiful or impressive. |
| 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 coastal road has spectacular scenery. | You look absolutely stunning! |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (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, look, fairly, rather, very | be, look, find something, really, absolutely, quite, be, look, find something, really, absolutely, quite |
| Antonyms | - | undramatic, uninspiring, mundane | ordinary, common, usual | ordinary, unremarkable, mediocre | ugly, unattractive, dull |
| 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. | 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. | Confused with 'stun' vs 'stunning' where 'stun' refers to shock., Using 'stunning' for something ordinary., Misplacing in a sentence, leading to unclear meaning. |
| 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. | Used to describe something visually striking or exciting. Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but might be less common in very casual speech. | Used to describe people, places, or things that are visually striking. More common in positive contexts. Avoid using in negative or sarcastic tones. |
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Frequently asked questions: Astonishing to behold vs Breathtaking vs Extraordinary vs Spectacular vs Stunning
What's the difference between Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Spectacular, and Stunning?
Astonishing to behold: Very surprising and impressive to see. Breathtaking: Very beautiful or amazing. Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Spectacular: Very impressive or amazing. Stunning: Very beautiful or impressive.
Which is more formal: Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Spectacular, and Stunning?
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. Spectacular: The coastal road has spectacular scenery. Stunning: You look absolutely stunning!
Can I use Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Spectacular, and Stunning interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing to behold, Breathtaking, Extraordinary, Spectacular, and Stunning 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.