jaw-droppers

noun

plural of jaw-dropper
as in surprises
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected the underdog's victory was a jaw-dropper in boxing circles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jaw-droppers
  1. surprises
  2. shocks
  3. jolts
Noun
  • Do not be surprised if their latest batch of prodigies spring a couple of surprises.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In Mina, the encampment outside Mecca where millions of pilgrims stay each year, buffet catering is provided, along with occasional surprises such as popcorn machines and ice cream.
    — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprises
Noun
  • In addition to relatively low inflation, Peru’s system has delivered a relatively stable currency, resilience to major economic shocks, and sustained economic growth.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Take our survey Shrugging shocks Global markets continue to shrug off the geopolitical shocks, but HSBC sees some developments that could end that dynamic.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocks
Noun
  • Riley, who finished with 232 all-purpose yards Friday, provided the jolts early as the Blackhawks used big plays to counter the grind-it-out attack used by Streamwood.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But, though the special effects are killer, what makes the show click is its suspenseful melancholy, as quiet scenes build to jolts so intense that the whole audience screamed.
    — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of jolts
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

jaw-dropper
jaw-droppers
jaw-dropping
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jaw-droppers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jaw-droppers. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of empirical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All