surprising

1 of 2

adjective

sur·​pris·​ing sər-ˈprī-ziŋ 

sə-

: of a nature that excites surprise

surprising

2 of 2

present participle of surprise entry 2

Synonyms of surprising

Adjective

• startling
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing

Examples of surprising in a Sentence

Adjective

It's not surprising that he doesn't want to go.

The changes to the campus were surprising.

He shows a surprising lack of concern for others.

A surprising number of people were laid off at the factory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Exodus' journey so far has been quite transparent, with publisher Wizards of the Coast and developer Archetype Entertainment giving us a surprising number of updates and looks at the sci-fi action RPG over the years. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Continue reading … HANDS OFF — Harris gives surprising response to Dems asking her to 'stay away' from races. — FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The surprising new data comes from the major lender Rocket Mortgage, which analyzed early payments on nearly 3 million of its loans in all 50 states over the past five years. — Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026

Nothing truly surprising considering where contract statuses stood with a lot of the starting group from this summer. — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1614, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surprising

• advising
• apprising
• arising
• baptizing
• capsizing
• chastising
• comprising
• despising
• devising
• disguising
• downsizing
• excising

Kids Definition

surprising

adjective

sur·​pris·​ing

sə(r)-ˈprī-ziŋ

: causing surprise : amazing