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Can amazing mean "good"?
Yes, it can.
One common complaint regarding the adjectival use of amazing is the extent to which the word is used in what some feel is a watered-down fashion. Those who take this position argue that unless someone is literally being amazed, the word is ill-chosen.
While this defense of semantic integrity is understandable, we must point out that the broadened meaning of amazing is hardly an isolated case. In fact, a number of words that are semantically similar to amazing have also come unmoored from their original meanings. Fabulous once meant “characteristic of fables," and the earliest known sense of terrific was “exciting fear or awe.” Although the weakened meanings of such words have elicited complaints, most of them have eventually become accepted into the language over the course of time.
Examples of amazing in a Sentence
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Gosh, there are trillions of stories that are amazing.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
Among the biggest highlights of the match were: Paul’s amazing springboard moonsault through the announce table, Truth’s unforgettable return and Rhodes pinning Cena.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Our region also has a number of other destinations that might not necessarily have the Dark Sky designation, but their clear skies, lack of light pollution, or access to astronomical instruments allow visitors to see star clusters, planets, and other amazing features of the night sky.
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for amazing
Cite this Entry
“Amazing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amazing. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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