variants:
or less commonly surprize
Definition of surprise
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: an attack made without warning
b
: a taking unawares
2
: something that surprises
3
: the feeling caused by something unexpected or unusual
surprise
verb
variants:
or less commonly surprize
surprised also surprized; surprising also surprizing
Definition of surprise (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to attack unexpectedly
also
: to capture by an unexpected attack
2a
: to take unawares
Police surprised the burglars in the store.
b
: to detect or elicit by a taking unawares
… sometimes surprised a tragic shadow in her eyes.— Willa Cather
3
: to strike with wonder or amazement especially because unexpected
His conduct surprised me.
: to cause astonishment or surprise
Her success didn't surprise.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for surprise
The first known use of surprise was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century