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
The film’s virtues don’t hinge on the element of surprise, and Victor will win you over with their thoughtful, tender, and deeply funny approach to a devastating topic.
—
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
The concerts follow his recent New York run and will feature rotating special guests, adding an element of surprise to each night.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
Crowds gather — people come out of their houses, dog walkers pause on their routes, cyclists and drivers make detours — to protest what the agents are doing and remove any element of surprise.
—Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
That’s fit this year’s shift to more under-center and play-action passing, but now it’s created an element of surprise to the defense that moving Nacua around before the snap never could.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 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.
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
The concerts follow his recent New York run and will feature rotating special guests, adding an element of surprise to each night.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
Crowds gather — people come out of their houses, dog walkers pause on their routes, cyclists and drivers make detours — to protest what the agents are doing and remove any element of surprise.
—Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
That’s fit this year’s shift to more under-center and play-action passing, but now it’s created an element of surprise to the defense that moving Nacua around before the snap never could.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 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 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share