variants
also surprize
1
as in shock
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 & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in amazement
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprize
1
as in to amaze
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 & Similar Words
2
as in to ambush
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise
FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of surprise
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
In a surprise to nobody, the Nuggets are looking like contenders again, passing their most recent test with a trip to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Prices are comparable to StubHub’s and already account for fees, so you won’t be surprised by the final cost at checkout.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
When Maia’s old college friend from New York shows up in her apartment as a birthday surprise, the model/influencer is all bubbly enthusiasm — despite the fact that Maia just blocked her on Instagram that morning.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
In a surprise to nobody, the Nuggets are looking like contenders again, passing their most recent test with a trip to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Their tactics had long ceased to surprise me.
—Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Prices are comparable to StubHub’s and already account for fees, so you won’t be surprised by the final cost at checkout.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
Sudden macroeconomic shocks or trend reversals can push prices well below the EMA, leading to mark-to-market losses or assignments on declining stocks.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
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Eight years on, FII has evolved from a stage for shock-and-awe reveals into a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s maturing economic strategy, and of Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) central role in driving it.—
Wael Mahdi,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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More than six months later, a reply arrived in the mail—sparking amazement and confusion in her household, and fascination among viewers online.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Teammates Curry and Horford, watching in street clothes from the bench, looked on in equal parts disbelief and amazement.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stines, 44, was allegedly caught on security video storming into Mullins’ chambers before shooting him in an alleged courthouse ambush that rattled the Appalachian community.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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In response, a gunman sprayed Stanfa's car with automatic weapons during an ambush on the expressway, and although he wasn't hurt, his son Joseph was wounded in the head, per UPI.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
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This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Vinicius Jr also thrived in the Italian’s counter-attacking tactical setup, which was designed at least in part to suit his pace and direct running, and delivered the club’s two most recent Champions League trophies in 2022 and 2024.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The only thing that carries any water is making up something to attack Gretchen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many people who knew Mamdani before his run for mayor confessed to some astonishment at the success of his campaign.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
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There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv on Wednesday — contrasted with bitter dismissal and some mocking defiance in Moscow — after President Donald Trump said Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Miles stunned the country by entering the transfer portal and eventually landing at TCU, a few weeks after the Horned Frogs eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Oct. 2025
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Joined by real-life magician Noah Levine, the star stunned fans with card tricks and a special surprise.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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