come as a (complete/total) surprise

phrase

: to be unexpected
The news came as a (complete/total) surprise to everyone.

Examples of come as a (complete/total) surprise in a Sentence

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.
Muncy’s ability to reach the seats often at home shouldn’t come as a surprise. Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026 The decision to start the 21-year-old Eldridge in Sacramento does not come as a surprise. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026 But the darkness shouldn't come as a surprise, seeing how director Alan Parker was also responsible for movies like Midnight Express. Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Mar. 2026 His assessment may come as a surprise considering SMU has collapsed in the final two weeks of the regular season following the injury to starting guard BJ Edwards. Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for come as a (complete/total) surprise

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Come as a (complete/total) surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20as%20a%20%28complete%2Ftotal%29%20surprise. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster