Amazing is one of the most common positive words in English.
We use it when something surprises us, impresses us, delights us, or seems far better than expected.
For example:
She gave an amazing performance.
You could also write:
She gave an incredible performance.
She gave a remarkable performance.
She gave an outstanding performance.
She gave a phenomenal performance.
These alternatives are related, but each has a slightly different meaning.
Incredible emphasizes surprise or disbelief.
Remarkable suggests something deserves special attention.
Extraordinary means far outside the normal range.
Outstanding means better than most others, while phenomenal suggests an extremely impressive result.
Learning these differences helps you avoid repeating amazing and makes your writing more precise.
Meaning of Amazing
Amazing means causing great surprise, admiration, excitement, or wonder.
Definition
Amazing: extremely surprising, impressive, wonderful, or difficult to believe.
Common Uses
For people:
She is an amazing teacher.
For experiences:
We had an amazing trip.
For results:
The team achieved amazing results.
For appearance:
The view was amazing.
For skills:
He has amazing talent.
Pronunciation
Amazing is pronounced:
/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
It sounds like:
uh-MAY-zing
Natural Pronunciation
The main stress is on the second syllable:
a-MAZ-ing
The first vowel is soft, while the middle syllable receives the strongest stress.
Part of Speech
Amazing is mainly an adjective.
It describes someone or something that creates surprise, admiration, or wonder.
She is an amazing artist.
That was an amazing experience.
The related forms include:
- Amaze — verb
- Amazed — adjective
- Amazement — noun
- Amazingly — adverb
Examples
The magician amazed the audience.
I was amazed by her talent.
Everyone watched in amazement.
She performed amazingly well.
Amazing Synonyms
| Word | Meaning | Usage | Formality | Example | Difficulty |
| Incredible | Extremely impressive or hard to believe | General | Neutral | The view was incredible. | Easy |
| Astonishing | Extremely surprising | Results, events | Formal | The results were astonishing. | Medium |
| Remarkable | Unusually impressive or worthy of attention | Achievement, progress | Formal | She made remarkable progress. | Medium |
| Extraordinary | Far beyond normal | People, events, abilities | Formal | He has extraordinary talent. | Medium |
| Impressive | Causing admiration | Skills, work, results | Neutral | Her work was impressive. | Easy |
| Wonderful | Very pleasing or enjoyable | Experiences, people | Neutral | We had a wonderful time. | Easy |
| Fantastic | Extremely good or exciting | General | Casual/Neutral | That’s a fantastic idea. | Easy |
| Phenomenal | Exceptionally impressive | Results, performance | Formal/Neutral | Sales were phenomenal. | Advanced |
| Spectacular | Very impressive or dramatic | Events, views | Neutral | The show was spectacular. | Medium |
| Marvelous | Extremely good or wonderful | General | Neutral | It was a marvelous experience. | Medium |
| Stunning | Extremely impressive or beautiful | Appearance, results | Neutral | The view was stunning. | Medium |
| Magnificent | Extremely impressive or grand | Places, achievements | Formal | The building was magnificent. | Medium |
| Exceptional | Unusually excellent | Skills, quality | Formal | She has exceptional talent. | Medium |
| Outstanding | Better than usual | Work, performance | Neutral | He did an outstanding job. | Medium |
| Incredible | Difficult to believe | General | Neutral | Her story was incredible. | Easy |
| Unbelievable | Hard to believe | Casual, surprising events | Casual | That was unbelievable! | Easy |
| Astounding | Extremely surprising | Results, discoveries | Formal | The discovery was astounding. | Advanced |
| Staggering | Shockingly large or impressive | Numbers, results | Formal | The company reported staggering growth. | Advanced |
| Breathtaking | Extremely beautiful or impressive | Views, experiences | Neutral | The scenery was breathtaking. | Medium |
| Wonderful | Extremely pleasant | General | Neutral | She had a wonderful day. | Easy |
| Awesome | Extremely good or impressive | Casual conversation | Casual | That concert was awesome. | Easy |
| Brilliant | Exceptionally clever or excellent | Ideas, people, work | Neutral | That was a brilliant solution. | Easy |
| Fantastic | Extremely good | General | Casual | You did a fantastic job. | Easy |
| Terrific | Very good | General conversation | Casual | We had a terrific time. | Easy |
| Superb | Extremely good | Quality, performance | Neutral | The food was superb. | Medium |
| Phenomenal | Exceptionally impressive | Achievement, results | Formal | Her performance was phenomenal. | Advanced |
| Sensational | Extremely exciting or impressive | News, events, results | Neutral | The team had a sensational season. | Medium |
| Spectacular | Dramatically impressive | Views, events | Neutral | The fireworks were spectacular. | Medium |
| Striking | Very noticeable or impressive | Appearance, design | Formal | The building has a striking design. | Medium |
| Captivating | Holding attention strongly | Stories, performances | Formal | Her speech was captivating. | Medium |
| Fascinating | Extremely interesting | Ideas, subjects | Neutral | The subject is fascinating. | Medium |
| Compelling | Very convincing or engaging | Arguments, stories | Formal | She made a compelling case. | Medium |
| Delightful | Very pleasant | People, experiences | Neutral | It was a delightful evening. | Medium |
| Splendid | Excellent or impressive | General, experiences | Neutral/Formal | We had a splendid time. | Medium |
| Superb | Exceptionally high quality | Work, products | Neutral | The service was superb. | Medium |
| Glorious | Magnificently beautiful or joyful | Events, views | Formal | It was a glorious morning. | Medium |
| Unforgettable | Impossible to forget | Experiences, moments | Neutral | It was an unforgettable trip. | Easy |
| Inspiring | Creating motivation or admiration | People, stories | Neutral | Her story was inspiring. | Easy |
| Extraordinary | Remarkably unusual | People, events | Formal | It was an extraordinary achievement. | Medium |
| Mind-blowing | Extremely surprising or impressive | Casual | Casual | The special effects were mind-blowing. | Medium |
Best Amazing Synonyms
1. Incredible
Incredible means extremely impressive, surprising, or difficult to believe.
The view from the mountain was incredible.
Difference
Amazing and incredible are very close. Incredible can place more emphasis on disbelief or surprise.
Best Situation
Use it for:
- achievements
- stories
- experiences
- skills
- results
- discoveries
2. Astonishing
Astonishing means shocking.
The athlete made an astonishing recovery.
It is stronger and more formal than amazing.
Best Situation
Use it for:
- surprising results
- discoveries
- statistics
- events
- achievements
3. Remarkable
Remarkable means unusual, impressive, or worthy of special attention.
She made remarkable progress.
This is an excellent choice for professional and academic writing.
4. Extraordinary
Extraordinary means far beyond what is normal or expected.
He has extraordinary talent.
It emphasizes that something is unusual as well as impressive.
5. Impressive
Impressive means causing admiration because of quality, ability, size, or achievement.
Her presentation was impressive.
It is one of the safest choices in professional writing.
6. Wonderful
Wonderful means extremely good, enjoyable, or pleasant.
We had a wonderful vacation.
It often sounds warmer and more positive than impressive.
7. Fantastic
Fantastic means extremely good, exciting, or enjoyable.
That’s a fantastic idea!
It is common in everyday conversation.
8. Phenomenal
Phenomenal means exceptionally impressive or extraordinary.
The company experienced phenomenal growth.
It is particularly effective when describing very strong results.
9. Spectacular
Spectacular means extremely impressive, dramatic, or visually striking.
The fireworks were spectacular.
It works especially well for:
- performances
- landscapes
- events
- celebrations
- visual effects
10. Marvelous
Marvelous means extremely good, enjoyable, or impressive.
We had a marvelous evening.
It sounds warm and positive and is slightly less common in everyday American speech than wonderful.
11. Stunning
Stunning means extremely impressive or beautiful.
She looked stunning in the dress.
It is especially common for:
- appearance
- fashion
- scenery
- photography
- design
12. Magnificent
Magnificent means extremely impressive, beautiful, grand, or splendid.
The palace was magnificent.
It works well for things that are large, beautiful, or majestic.
13. Exceptional
Exceptional means unusually good or far above the normal standard.
She showed exceptional leadership.
It is useful in business, education, and professional writing.
14. Outstanding
Outstanding means exceptionally good or better than others.
He delivered an outstanding presentation.
It is a strong professional alternative to amazing
15. Breathtaking
Breathtaking means so beautiful or impressive that it almost takes your breath away.
The mountain scenery was breathtaking.
It is especially effective for:
- landscapes
- views
- performances
- moments
- beauty
Amazing Synonyms by Context
Amazing Person
Use:
- incredible
- extraordinary
- exceptional
- remarkable
- impressive
- inspiring
- wonderful
- outstanding
Example:
She is an extraordinary teacher.
Amazing Performance
Use:
- outstanding
- spectacular
- phenomenal
- remarkable
- impressive
- brilliant
- exceptional
Example:
The singer gave a phenomenal performance.
Amazing View
Use:
- breathtaking
- stunning
- spectacular
- magnificent
- beautiful
- extraordinary
Example:
The mountain view was breathtaking.
Amazing Experience
Use:
- unforgettable
- incredible
- wonderful
- extraordinary
- remarkable
- memorable
- fantastic
Example:
It was an unforgettable experience.
Amazing Results
Use:
- remarkable
- exceptional
- outstanding
- phenomenal
- impressive
- astonishing
- extraordinary
Example:
The campaign produced remarkable results.
Amazing Idea
Use:
- brilliant
- fantastic
- excellent
- innovative
- impressive
- creative
- remarkable
Example:
That’s a brilliant idea.
Amazing Beauty
Use:
- stunning
- breathtaking
- gorgeous
- magnificent
- beautiful
- spectacular
Example:
The landscape was absolutely stunning.
Amazing Achievement
Use:
- remarkable
- extraordinary
- exceptional
- outstanding
- phenomenal
- impressive
Example:
Winning the competition was an extraordinary achievement.
Antonyms of Amazing
| Antonym | Meaning | Example |
| Ordinary | Normal or usual | It was an ordinary day. |
| Average | Typical or moderate | The results were average. |
| Mediocre | Only moderately good | The performance was mediocre. |
| Unimpressive | Not causing admiration | The results were unimpressive. |
| Disappointing | Failing to meet expectations | The experience was disappointing. |
| Dull | Not interesting or exciting | The presentation was dull. |
| Boring | Not interesting | The movie was boring. |
| Ordinary | Not unusual | It was an ordinary event. |
| Poor | Low in quality | The service was poor. |
| Unremarkable | Not special or noteworthy | The results were unremarkable. |
| Mundane | Ordinary and lacking excitement | It was a mundane task. |
| Mediocre | Average or below expectations | The food was mediocre. |
| Underwhelming | Less impressive than expected | The show was underwhelming. |
| Forgettable | Not memorable | It was a forgettable experience. |
| Terrible | Extremely bad | The service was terrible. |
Ordinary
Ordinary means normal and not special.
It was an ordinary afternoon.
Unimpressive
Unimpressive means failing to create admiration.
The presentation was unimpressive.
Underwhelming
Underwhelming means less exciting or impressive than expected.
The final performance was underwhelming.
Mundane
Mundane describes something ordinary, routine, or lacking excitement.
He spent the morning doing mundane tasks.
30 Real-World Examples
- The view from the mountain was breathtaking.
- She gave an incredible performance.
- He achieved remarkable results.
- The discovery was astonishing.
- She has extraordinary talent.
- His presentation was impressive.
- We had a wonderful vacation.
- The team achieved phenomenal growth.
- The fireworks were spectacular.
- She looked stunning in the dress.
- The building was magnificent.
- Her work was exceptional.
- He gave an outstanding speech.
- The experience was unforgettable.
- That was a brilliant idea.
- The scenery was breathtaking.
- She made remarkable progress.
- The results were astonishing.
- The concert was fantastic.
- The service at the hotel was superb.
- His story was inspiring.
- The view was absolutely stunning.
- The performance was phenomenal.
- She showed exceptional leadership.
- The project achieved outstanding results.
- The experience was truly unforgettable.
- The design was striking.
- The story was captivating.
- The explanation was fascinating.
- The team made extraordinary progress.
25 Naturally Written Sentences
- The sunset over the ocean was breathtaking.
- She gave an incredible speech.
- His progress over the past year has been remarkable.
- The results were astonishing.
- She has an extraordinary ability to connect with people.
- The new design is incredibly impressive.
- We had a wonderful time at the festival.
- The company achieved phenomenal growth.
- The fireworks display was spectacular.
- She looked stunning at the event.
- The old palace was magnificent.
- He showed exceptional leadership.
- The athlete delivered an outstanding performance.
- It was an unforgettable experience.
- That’s a brilliant idea.
- The landscape was absolutely breathtaking.
- She made remarkable progress in just six months.
- The discovery was truly astonishing.
- They gave us a fantastic welcome.
- His story was deeply inspiring.
- The architecture was striking.
- The documentary was fascinating.
- Her speech was captivating.
- The results were phenomenal.
- It was an extraordinary achievement.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
| Informal | Neutral | Formal |
| Amazing | Impressive | Remarkable |
| Awesome | Fantastic | Exceptional |
| Great | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Incredible | Incredible | Extraordinary |
| Mind-blowing | Spectacular | Astonishing |
| Awesome | Wonderful | Phenomenal |
| Super | Superb | Exemplary |
Informal
That concert was amazing!
Neutral
That concert was incredible!
Formal
The concert was an exceptional performance.
For professional and academic writing, remarkable, impressive, exceptional, extraordinary, and outstanding are often more precise than amazing.
Academic Usage
The word amazing is common in speech but can sound too informal or emotional in academic writing.
Instead of:
The study produced amazing results.
Try:
The study produced remarkable results.
Or:
The study produced significant results.
Or:
The study produced exceptional results.
Useful academic alternatives include:
- remarkable
- significant
- extraordinary
- exceptional
- impressive
- substantial
- notable
- striking
- considerable
Example
Informal:
The experiment had amazing results.
Academic:
The experiment produced remarkable results.
Daily Conversation
Amazing is extremely common in everyday conversation.
That’s amazing!
This can mean:
- That’s wonderful!
- That’s impressive!
- I can’t believe it!
- That’s great!
Common Casual Alternatives
- awesome
- incredible
- fantastic
- wonderful
- brilliant
- terrific
- unbelievable
- mind-blowing
Example:
“I got the job!”
“That’s amazing!”
Grammar Tips
1. Amazing + Noun
an amazing experience
an amazing story
an amazing opportunity
2. Be + Amazing
The view was amazing.
3. Look + Amazing
You look amazing.
4. Sound + Amazing
That sounds amazing.
5. Amazing at + Noun or -ing
She is amazing at painting.
6. Amazing to + Verb
It was amazing to see the results.
7. Amazing That + Clause
It’s amazing that he finished so quickly.
Common Collocations With Amazing
Amazing Experience
It was an amazing experience.
Amazing Opportunity
This is an amazing opportunity.
Amazing Results
The team achieved amazing results.
Amazing Story
She told us an amazing story.
Amazing View
We saw an amazing view.
Amazing Performance
He gave an amazing performance.
Amazing Talent
She has amazing talent.
Amazing Job
You did an amazing job.
Amazing Person
She is an amazing person.
Amazing Achievement
Winning the award was an amazing achievement.
Amazing Idea
That’s an amazing idea.
Amazing Place
This is an amazing place to visit.
Common Phrases With Amazing
That’s Amazing!
Used to express surprise or admiration.
“I won first place!”
“That’s amazing!”
Amazing Job
Used to praise someone’s work.
You did an amazing job.
Amazing Experience
Used to describe a highly enjoyable or memorable event.
It was an amazing experience.
Amazing Opportunity
Used for an unusually valuable chance.
This is an amazing opportunity.
Amazing Grace
This is a well-known phrase and title associated with the traditional Christian hymn. In general language, amazing grace means extraordinary or wonderful grace.
Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | Difference | Example |
| Amazing | Very surprising or impressive | Broad and common | The view was amazing. |
| Incredible | Extremely impressive or hard to believe | Stronger surprise | The story was incredible. |
| Remarkable | Worthy of special attention | More formal | She made remarkable progress. |
| Extraordinary | Far beyond normal | Emphasizes unusual quality | He has extraordinary talent. |
| Impressive | Producing admiration | Focuses on effect | Her work was impressive. |
| Outstanding | Better than most | Focuses on superiority | He did outstanding work. |
| Exceptional | Unusually excellent | Formal and strong | She showed exceptional skill. |
| Astonishing | Extremely surprising | Focuses on shock | The results were astonishing. |
| Spectacular | Dramatic and visually impressive | Often used for events/views | The show was spectacular. |
| Phenomenal | Exceptionally impressive | Strong, often professional | Growth was phenomenal. |
| Stunning | Extremely beautiful or impressive | Often visual | The view was stunning. |
| Wonderful | Very pleasant | Warmer and more emotional | We had a wonderful time. |
Amazing vs. Incredible
Amazing and incredible are very close.
The performance was amazing.
The performance was incredible.
Both sound natural.
Incredible can sometimes emphasize surprise or disbelief more strongly.
Amazing vs. Remarkable
Remarkable is more formal and often means worthy of special attention.
She made amazing progress.
She made remarkable progress.
The second sentence sounds more suitable for professional or academic writing.
Amazing vs. Extraordinary
Extraordinary means far beyond what is normal or expected.
She has extraordinary talent.
It emphasizes unusual quality rather than simply being very good.
Amazing vs. Impressive
Impressive focuses on the effect something has on you.
His presentation was impressive.
Amazing can express stronger excitement or wonder.
His presentation was amazing!
Amazing vs. Outstanding
Outstanding means noticeably better than normal or better than others.
She gave an outstanding performance.
It is particularly useful for professional reviews and evaluations.
Amazing vs. Astonishing
Astonishing emphasizes surprise.
The results were astonishing.
Use it when something is far beyond what people expected.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Overusing Amazing
If every result, person, meal, view, and experience is amazing, your writing can become repetitive.
Instead, choose a word that explains why something is impressive.
breathtaking view
remarkable progress
outstanding performance
phenomenal growth
Mistake 2: Using Amazing in Formal Research
In academic writing, amazing can sound subjective.
Instead:
The study produced remarkable findings.
Mistake 3: Confusing Amazed and Amazing
Amazing describes something that causes surprise.
The movie was amazing.
Amazed describes the person’s feeling.
I was amazed by the movie.
Mistake 4: Saying “I Am Amazing” When You Mean “I Am Amazed”
These have very different meanings.
I am amazing.
means:
I am an amazing person.
But:
I am amazed.
means:
I am very surprised.
Mistake 5: Using “Amazing” When “Excellent” Is More Precise
For professional evaluation:
She did an amazing job.
could become:
She did an excellent job.
Expert Tips
1. Use Remarkable for Professional Achievements
She made remarkable progress.
2. Use Outstanding for High Performance
He delivered an outstanding presentation.
3. Use Breathtaking for Scenery
The view was breathtaking.
4. Use Astonishing for Surprising Results
The results were astonishing.
5. Use Phenomenal for Exceptional Growth
The company experienced phenomenal growth.
6. Use Exceptional for Skills
She has exceptional leadership skills.
7. Use Spectacular for Events
The fireworks were spectacular.
8. Use Captivating for Stories and Performances
Her speech was captivating.
9. Use Fascinating for Interesting Subjects
The topic is fascinating.
10. Use Awesome for Casual Conversation
That concert was awesome!
Q1. What is the best synonym for amazing?
A: The best general synonyms for amazing are incredible, remarkable, extraordinary, impressive, wonderful, and fantastic. The ideal choice depends on context. Use remarkable for achievements, breathtaking for scenery, outstanding for performance, phenomenal for exceptional results, and astonishing when something is extremely surprising.
Q2. What is another word for amazing?
A: Common alternatives include incredible, astonishing, remarkable, extraordinary, impressive, fantastic, wonderful, phenomenal, spectacular, stunning, magnificent, exceptional, outstanding, and breathtaking. Each has a slightly different emphasis. For example, stunning often describes beauty, while astonishing emphasizes surprise.
Q3. What is a formal synonym for amazing?
A: Formal synonyms include remarkable, extraordinary, exceptional, astonishing, phenomenal, astounding, and notable. Remarkable is especially useful in professional and academic writing because it sounds strong without being overly emotional. For example, “The researchers observed remarkable progress” is more formal than “The researchers saw amazing progress.”
Q4. What is a simple synonym for amazing?
A: Simple synonyms include great, wonderful, fantastic, incredible, excellent, and awesome. In everyday conversation, “That’s amazing!” is already very natural. If you want an easy alternative, “That’s incredible!” or “That’s fantastic!” usually works well.
Q5. Is incredible a synonym for amazing?
A: Yes. Incredible is one of the closest synonyms for amazing. Both can describe something extremely impressive or surprising. However, incredible can also mean difficult to believe, so it sometimes emphasizes disbelief more strongly. For example, “Her story was incredible” can mean both highly impressive and hard to believe.
Q6. What is the difference between amazing and remarkable?
A: Amazing is common and expressive, especially in conversation. Remarkable is more formal and means worthy of special attention because it is unusual, impressive, or significant. “She had an amazing performance” sounds conversational, while “She gave a remarkable performance” sounds more polished and evaluative.
Q7. What is the difference between amazing and astonishing?
A: Both words express strong surprise, but astonishing puts more emphasis on how unexpected or shocking something is. Amazing can simply mean very impressive or wonderful. For example, “The view was amazing” expresses admiration, while “The results were astonishing” suggests they were far beyond expectations.
Q8. What is the opposite of amazing?
A: Common opposites include ordinary, average, mediocre, unimpressive, disappointing, dull, boring, unremarkable, mundane, and underwhelming. The best antonym depends on context. Unimpressive is useful for weak results, ordinary for something normal, and underwhelming for something that failed to meet expectations.
Q9. What is a synonym for amazing in academic writing?
A: Good academic alternatives include remarkable, significant, extraordinary, exceptional, notable, striking, and substantial, depending on the intended meaning. Academic writing usually avoids amazing because it can sound emotional or subjective. Choose a word that describes the specific quality you can support with evidence.
Q10. What is a synonym for amazing in professional writing?
A: Useful professional alternatives include impressive, remarkable, exceptional, outstanding, extraordinary, and phenomenal. For example, instead of “The company achieved amazing growth,” you could write “The company achieved remarkable growth.” This sounds more precise and professional.
Q11. What is a stronger word than amazing?
A: Words such as astonishing, phenomenal, extraordinary, astounding, spectacular, breathtaking, and unparalleled can create a stronger effect than ordinary uses of amazing. The strongest choice depends on context. Breathtaking is powerful for beauty, astonishing for surprise, and phenomenal for exceptional performance or results.
Q12. What is a synonym for amazing experience?
A: Good alternatives include incredible experience, unforgettable experience, extraordinary experience, remarkable experience, wonderful experience, and memorable experience. If the experience was especially enjoyable, wonderful works well. If it was highly unusual or surprising, extraordinary or incredible may be better.
Q13. What is a synonym for amazing person?
A: Useful alternatives include incredible, extraordinary, exceptional, remarkable, impressive, inspiring, wonderful, and outstanding. The best choice depends on the person’s qualities. Use inspiring for someone who motivates others, exceptional for unusual ability, and wonderful for warmth and personality.
Q14. What is a synonym for amazing results?
A: Strong alternatives include remarkable results, outstanding results, exceptional results, phenomenal results, impressive results, and astonishing results. In business or academic writing, remarkable and significant are often more appropriate than the informal amazing.
Q15. How can I avoid repeating the word amazing?
A: Replace amazing based on the specific reason something is impressive. Use breathtaking for beauty, remarkable for achievements, outstanding for performance, phenomenal for results, astonishing for surprise, captivating for stories, and inspiring for people or experiences that motivate you. This creates more precise and varied writing.
Conclusion:
There are many useful synonyms, but the best choice depends on the exact meaning you want.
Incredible is a strong general alternative, remarkable works well for achievements, extraordinary emphasizes unusual quality, and impressive focuses on admiration.
For beauty, choose stunning. For exceptional results, phenomenal or outstanding can be stronger.
For formal writing, remarkable, exceptional, extraordinary, and notable are often better choices than the casual amazing.
The goal isn’t to use the most complicated synonym.
Choose the word that tells readers why something is amazing.
That small change can make your writing clearer, more natural, and much more expressive.
Charlotte Evans is a language researcher and vocabulary writer from New York, USA. She specializes in English synonyms, word usage, and educational content that helps readers improve their communication skills.