element of surprise
noun phrase
: the unexpected or surprising character of something
The attackers were relying on the element of surprise.
Examples of element of surprise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That element of surprise kept us on a natural high all week long — with credit due to the human and non-human animals in almost equal measure.
—
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2024
Another element of surprise could be celebrity sightings, which can help raise the visibility of campaigns and conventions.
—Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 20 May 2024
In an interview, Cangelosi, the John Jay College lecturer, raised the question of why task force members attempted to serve the warrant during the afternoon on Monday rather than early in the morning, when there could have been an element of surprise.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 3 May 2024
Don’t confide in others when using the element of surprise.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024
After all, part of the charm is the element of surprise.
—Cathy Free, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
Small platoons bank on the element of surprise and, when successful, make incremental gains in territory and battlefield intelligence.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2023
Even though the colors aren't bold or bright, the textured details bring an element of surprise into any neutral space.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024
Uno Attack uses the element of surprise to kick the fun up a notch or two.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2024
Another element of surprise could be celebrity sightings, which can help raise the visibility of campaigns and conventions.
—Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 20 May 2024
In an interview, Cangelosi, the John Jay College lecturer, raised the question of why task force members attempted to serve the warrant during the afternoon on Monday rather than early in the morning, when there could have been an element of surprise.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 3 May 2024
Don’t confide in others when using the element of surprise.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024
After all, part of the charm is the element of surprise.
—Cathy Free, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
Small platoons bank on the element of surprise and, when successful, make incremental gains in territory and battlefield intelligence.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2023
Even though the colors aren't bold or bright, the textured details bring an element of surprise into any neutral space.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024
Uno Attack uses the element of surprise to kick the fun up a notch or two.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'element of surprise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near element of surprise
Cite this Entry
“Element of surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element%20of%20surprise. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
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