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surprise

noun
variants: also surprize

Synonyms and Antonyms of surprise

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 of surprise

bombshell, jar, jaw-dropper, jolt, stunner
Words Related to surprise

shock, thunderclap

eye-opener, revelation, shocker

amazement, marvel, wonder

fillip, kick, kicker, twist, wrinkle
Phrases Synonymous with surprise

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 of surprise

amazement, astonishment, shock, startlement, stupefaction
Words Related to surprise

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 of surprise

ambuscade, ambush, ambushment, trap
Words Related to surprise

assault, attack, charge, sally

capture, entrapment, mousetrap, snare

hunting, stalking

surprise

verb
variants: also surprize

Synonyms and Antonyms of surprise

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 of surprise

amaze, astonish, astound, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, thunderstrike
Words Related to surprise

befuddle, bewilder, blindside, blow away, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up
Phrases Synonymous with surprise

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 of surprise

ambuscade, ambush, waylay
Words Related to surprise

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

Synonym Discussion of surprise

surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.
    • surprised to find them at home
astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.
    • a discovery that astonished the world
astound stresses the shock of astonishment.
    • too astounded to respond
amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.
    • amazed by the immense size of the place
flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.
    • flabbergasted by his angry refusal

Learn More about surprise

  1. See words that rhyme with surprise Dictionary: Definition of surprise Spanish Central: Translation of surprise Nglish: Translation of surprise for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of surprise for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surprise

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