surprising

adjective

sur·​pris·​ing sər-ˈprī-ziŋ 

sə-

: of a nature that excites surprise

Synonyms of surprising

• startling
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing

Examples of surprising in a Sentence

It's not surprising that he doesn't want to go.

The changes to the campus were surprising.

He shows a surprising lack of concern for others.

A surprising number of people were laid off at the factory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Buckingham Palace’s Picture Gallery on July 9 unveiled a surprising new rehang of the palace’s collection that nearly doubles the number of works on view, from 63 to 120. — News Desk, Artforum, 10 July 2026

That perspective helps explain a surprising figure from Knight Frank’s Waterfront Index. — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Here are some surprising ways to reuse your plastic containers and up your organizing skills. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, The Spruce, 10 July 2026

The sight of Messi finding a pocket of space between two United players to score Barcelona’s second goal in that final wasn’t surprising in the slightest. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surprising

• advising
• apprising
• arising
• baptizing
• capsizing
• chastising
• comprising
• despising
• devising
• disguising
• downsizing
• excising

Kids Definition

surprising

adjective

sur·​pris·​ing

sə(r)-ˈprī-ziŋ

: causing surprise : amazing