breathtaking

adjective

breath·​tak·​ing ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce breathtaking (audio)
Synonyms of breathtakingnext
1
: causing one to breathe rapidly or with difficulty : making one out of breath
a breathtaking pain in her side
2
a
: exciting, thrilling
a breathtaking race
b
: very great : astonishing
his breathtaking ignorance
breathtakingly
ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ-lē How to pronounce breathtaking (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of breathtaking

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Examples of breathtaking in a Sentence

The train raced past with breathtaking speed. They gave a breathtaking performance. The view of the mountains was breathtaking. a scene of breathtaking beauty The scope of the error is breathtaking.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shot on location in Alberta, Canada, the blooming grasslands, breathtaking sunrises, glistening rivers and immense mountaintops are characters in their own right, often pulling audiences in when the storyline itself is drastically lacking. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 The administration is racing to get a handle on an almost entirely unregulated industry – one that’s advancing at breathtaking speed. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 These spaces stimulate your appetite for elegance before an afternoon spent taking in stunning artwork and breathtaking architecture. — Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 Gaming Monitor Deals TCL’s 27-inch P2A Pro monitor combines elite esports speed with breathtaking mini-LED visuals for an unbeatable dorm upgrade. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breathtaking

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breathtaking was in 1840

Rhymes for breathtaking

See All Rhymes for breathtaking

Browse Nearby Words

breathtaker
breathtaking
breath test
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Cite this Entry

“Breathtaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breathtaking. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

breathtaking

adjective
breath·​tak·​ing ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce breathtaking (audio)
1
: making one out of breath
breathtaking speed
2
: exciting, thrilling
breathtaking beauty
breathtakingly
-kiŋ-lē How to pronounce breathtaking (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on breathtaking

Nglish: Translation of breathtaking for Spanish Speakers

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