surprising

1 of 2

adjective

sur·​pris·​ing sər-ˈprī-ziŋ 

sə-

: of a nature that excites surprise

surprising

2 of 2

present participle of surprise entry 2

Synonyms of surprising

Adjective

• startling
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing

Examples of surprising in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

That the Bears essentially chose a private practice over that afternoon’s game as the best preparation for their franchise quarterback isn’t surprising. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

After season 3 came to an end last year and was filled with surprising deaths, no one is safe in either the adult or teen timelines on the show. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

The couple’s move is also somewhat surprising as just last month Harry lost his long-running privacy case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the tabloid Daily Mail. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

And the popularity isn't surprising, as younger audiences are turning toward simplified technology. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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