Thesaurus

surprise

noun

variants: also

1 something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected the anniversary party was such a complete surprise that the couple was speechless for a moment Synonyms bombshell, jar, jaw-dropper, jolt, stunner Related Words shock, thunderclap; eye-opener, revelation, shocker; amazement, marvel, wonder; fillip, kick, kicker, twist, wrinkle Phrases bolt from the blue (also bolt out of the blue)
2 the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin Synonyms amazement, astonishment, shock, startlement, stupefaction Related Words awe, wonder, wonderment; startle; bewilderment, confusion, consternation, discomfiture, dismay
3 a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait waited under cover of darkness and took the enemy encampment by surprise at dawn Synonyms ambuscade, ambushment, ambush (also surpize), trapRelated Words assault, attack, charge, sally; capture, entrapment, mousetrap, snare; hunting, stalking

verb

variants: also

1 to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected I was very surprised when my parents offered to pay the down payment on our house Synonyms amaze, astonish, astound, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, thunderstrike Related Words befuddle, bewilder, blindside, blow away, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up Phrases knock for a loop, take aback, take by surprise
2 to lie in wait for and attack by surprise FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations Synonyms ambuscade, ambush (also surprize), waylayRelated Words assail, assault, attack, storm, strike; jump, mug, pounce (on), tackle; charge, sally; capture, ensnare, entrap, mousetrap, net, snare, trap; hunt, prey (on or upon), stalk