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

One other surprising benefit could be to shift people’s attitudes to climate change, according to recent research. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

From war movies and psychological thrillers to a trilogy featuring a guy dressed up like a bat, Nolan has a taste for the unexpected that's often surprising and usually satisfying. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026

The play’s issues are greatly outweighed by the many hilarious lines that crackle all over the stage, so many of them perfectly timed and out of left field, causing surprising morsels of legit laughter. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Spain's surprising World Cup final journey began in Chattanooga, Tennessee, an unexpected base for the European champions. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 17 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