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
Sage said the tactic has three absolute requirements: the element of surprise, overwhelming power and moving as quickly as possible to secure the location.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Instead, look for hardware and fixtures that introduce an element of surprise or a statement-making moment.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
The element of surprise might be their best shot against the veteran Wildcats.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
By then, Russian forces had dug formidable defenses, including trenches, landmines, and tank traps — and the element of surprise, which Ukraine had used to great advantage in the first year of the war, was lost.
—Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for element of surprise
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.
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Instead, look for hardware and fixtures that introduce an element of surprise or a statement-making moment.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
The element of surprise might be their best shot against the veteran Wildcats.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
By then, Russian forces had dug formidable defenses, including trenches, landmines, and tank traps — and the element of surprise, which Ukraine had used to great advantage in the first year of the war, was lost.
—Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share