surprisingly

adverb

sur·​pris·​ing·​ly sər-ˈprī-ziŋ-lē 

sə-

1

: in a surprising manner : to a surprising degree

a surprisingly fast runner

2

: it is surprising that

surprisingly, voter turnout was high

Examples of surprisingly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its subtle texture and matte-finish fabric create a flattering, versatile wear for snowy slopes or outdoor sightseeing, while its surprisingly lightweight and flexible shape can comfortably fit in your travel bags. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

And some studies suggest this breakfast choice comes with surprisingly significant benefits, potentially boosting cardiovascular and cognitive health. —Jamie Ducharme, Health, 18 Dec. 2025

The recruits arrive at culinary boot camp to face a baseline challenge designed to expose just how dire (or surprisingly decent) their cooking abilities really are. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Practical, stylish, and surprisingly delightful, this is the kind of gift that becomes part of someone’s everyday life immediately. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for surprisingly

• tantalizingly
• unsurprisingly
• uncompromisingly

Kids Definition

surprisingly

adverb

sur·​pris·​ing·​ly -lē 

1

: in a surprising manner : to a surprising degree

a surprisingly fast runner

2

: it is surprising that

surprisingly, no one disagreed