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
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
Biden said that the early-morning hours are the best time for U.S. forces to operate and maintain the element of surprise and added that next Thursday would let enough time pass to avoid making the retaliation seem precipitous, while steering clear of Friday for reasons of cultural sensitivity.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Feb. 2024
These accounts run by anybody (even an actual cast member like Garcia) eliminate the element of surprise within the shows themselves.
—TIME, 24 Jan. 2024
Her involvement was kept a secret, adding an element of surprise for the audience.
—Gayle King, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2024
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
Biden said that the early-morning hours are the best time for U.S. forces to operate and maintain the element of surprise and added that next Thursday would let enough time pass to avoid making the retaliation seem precipitous, while steering clear of Friday for reasons of cultural sensitivity.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Feb. 2024
These accounts run by anybody (even an actual cast member like Garcia) eliminate the element of surprise within the shows themselves.
—TIME, 24 Jan. 2024
Her involvement was kept a secret, adding an element of surprise for the audience.
—Gayle King, CBS News, 15 Jan. 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 27 Apr. 2024.
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