Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Inspiring or exciting.
  • adjective Astonishing; astounding.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective stunningly beautiful; amazing
  • adjective Very surprising or shocking; to such a degree as to cause astonishment.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective tending to cause suspension of regular breathing

Etymologies

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Examples

  • On the series Valentine can be seen visiting Llangennith Beach on the Gower and Llansteffan Beach, south of Carmarthen, both of which he describes as "breathtaking".

    WalesOnline - Home 2011

  • Instead, the eccentric hip-hop legend settled for taking in what he called the breathtaking views of a location he always dreamed of seeing.

    Tonawanda News Homepage 2010

  • Obama has engaged in breathtaking demogoguery of the insurance companies.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Just Wondering 2010

  • Most of all, the book traces in breathtaking detail FDR’s revolutionary efforts with his New Deal legislation to transform the American political economy in order to save it, his forcefuland cageyleadership before and during World War II, and his lasting legacy in creating the foundations of the postwar international order.

    Traitor to His Class by H.W. Brands: Book summary 2010

  • You can wonder and doubt whether or not that the world of books and papers that contain breathtaking physical ideas and mathematical beauty can really hold a candle to the world of a social life and deep interpersonal connection.

    March « 2008 « Imaginary Potential 2008

  • You can wonder and doubt whether or not that the world of books and papers that contain breathtaking physical ideas and mathematical beauty can really hold a candle to the world of a social life and deep interpersonal connection.

    The Most Beautiful Words I’ve Ever Read About Grad School… « Imaginary Potential 2008

  • i have read your posts on this site and i can only say that your breathtaking is stupid. please stop at once.

    Think Progress » Bolton: ‘This is Put Up or Shut Up Time For Iran,’ Unilateral Military Action Is ‘On The Table’ 2006

  • In the recent retrospective of Nan Kempner’s wardrobe at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the late socialite’s closet was re-created in breathtaking detail — all 354 jackets and 362 sweaters — but her surprisingly undistinguished collection of handbags was relegated to a high shelf and mostly hidden.

    Carried Away 2007

  • In the recent retrospective of Nan Kempner’s wardrobe at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the late socialite’s closet was re-created in breathtaking detail — all 354 jackets and 362 sweaters — but her surprisingly undistinguished collection of handbags was relegated to a high shelf and mostly hidden.

    Carried Away 2007

  • In ruling that intelligent design had no business being taught in public school science classes, Judge Jones referred to the "breathtaking inanity" of the Dover Area School Board.

    Michael Zimmerman, Ph.D.: The 'Breathtaking Inanity' Of Rick Santorum And Michele Bachmann Ph.D. Michael Zimmerman 2011

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