Cool MateThat's astonishing vs Unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's astonishing
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Unbelievable
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Unbelievable
| That's astonishing | Unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðæts əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //ʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl//🇺🇸 //ʌn.bɪˈlivə.bəl// |
| Meaning | That's surprising or hard to believe. | Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. |
| Example | When I heard the news, I said, 'That's astonishing!' | His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | that's astonishing news, that's astonishing to see, that's astonishing behavior | unbelievable story, unbelievable situation, unbelievable coincidence, unbelievable talent, unbelievable prices |
| Antonyms | - | credible, believable, plausible |
| Common mistakes | Using 'astonishing' in a negative context., Confusing 'astonishing' with 'astonished' which means surprised., Saying 'That's astonish' instead of 'That's astonishing'. | Confused with 'incredible' - both mean similar things but can have different connotations., Used too casually in serious contexts., Often mispronounced by stressing the wrong syllable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'That's astonishing' to express strong surprise. It's best in formal or neutral contexts, avoiding slangy conversations. | Used to express astonishment or disbelief. It can be positive or negative depending on context (e.g., an unbelievable achievement vs. an unbelievable lie). |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: That's astonishing vs Unbelievable
What's the difference between That's astonishing and Unbelievable?
That's astonishing: That's surprising or hard to believe. Unbelievable: Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true.
Which is more common: That's astonishing and Unbelievable?
Unbelievable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's astonishing: When I heard the news, I said, 'That's astonishing!' Unbelievable: His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable.
Can I use That's astonishing and Unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. That's astonishing and Unbelievable 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.