The ending –ing is not only used to form the gerund (I am playing). It is also used to form adjectives.

Let’s check out some advanced adjectives ending in –ing.

appalling – very unpleasant, shocking. appalling injuries / appalling conditions
astonishing – impressive, surprising. astonishing success
baffling – confusing, mysterious. a baffling mystery
bustling – full of people, activity and energy. The party was bustling with people.
daunting – frightening, intimidating. … the daunting prospect of traveling alone …
dazzling – very attractive and beautiful. … such a dazzling beauty …
excruciating – very painful. an excruciating experience
mesmerizing – hypnotic. Watching her sing was mesmerizing…
misleading – causing someone to believe in something that is not true. misleading information
overpowering – very, very strong. overpowering heat / smell
overwhelming – having a big effect on something. an overwhelming desire / need / urge
painstaking – very correct and careful. painstaking attention
patronizing – speaking in a way that makes someone feel they are less important or less respected. a patronizing tone / attitude
scathing – criticizing very severely. a scathing remark / comment
sprawling – (usually said of a city) spreading over an area. sprawling suburbs
staggering – surprising and shocking. a staggering appearance
startling – surprising, worrying and sometimes unusual. a startling discovery
tantalizing – causing you to have desire or excitement towards something. … the tantalizing smell of homemade bread…
towering – very tall; outstanding. a towering cliff / a towering performance by a musician
unassuming – discreet, quiet, modest. an unassuming person
unbending – stubborn, not willing to change opinions. an unbending attitude
uplifting – cheerful, makes you feel better. an uplifting song