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
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
This is one of the show's many surprises: the self-awareness, the meta approach.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2025
The woman shares that, coincidentally, her boyfriend surprised her with a proposal later that very same weekend during a pre-planned family getaway.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
Every honoree with the exception of Joe Ely was on site to receive the award, as well as perform their classic songs with help from Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Bruce Springsteen, and surprise guests Jackson Browne, Nils Lofgren, Nora Guthrie, and Darlene Love.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
This is one of the show's many surprises: the self-awareness, the meta approach.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
To be surprised by the sights of Trump chroniclers partying in 2025 D.C. would be like pearl-clutching at war correspondents laughing and going hard at the hotel bar; in traumatic places, grief tends to fade the closer in one telescopes.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2025
The woman shares that, coincidentally, her boyfriend surprised her with a proposal later that very same weekend during a pre-planned family getaway.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
Within three minutes, with Inter having taken a shock early lead, Yamal began attempting to prise their defence apart.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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After hitting a high not seen since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gauge quickly settled back to less elevated levels – unlike previous shocks where the gauge remained elevated for months.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Though their time in space was short, all six stepped away from the experience feeling a serene sense of awe and humble amazement.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Fishburne, 63, says in amazement when seeing the photo, which showed his father wearing glasses and a black suit.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The majority are exported to the U.S. and the E.U. But in the wild, this shy companion turns into a patient ambush hunter.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Since coming together under the coalitions, gangs have proven themselves to be more mobile and more coordinated, carrying out military-style ambushes far away from their strongholds .—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Regardless of how or why, that drive continues to amaze me.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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What amazes me is that after Covid, a lot of the business became transactional.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
According to Haynes, Lillard is motivated to attack his rehab and return to form.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The account commonly attacks news publications and posts comments criticizing reporting about Hegseth and the Defense Department.—
Eleanor Watson,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This article aims to challenge this prevailing sense of astonishment.—
David Chauvet,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Breeding for More Than Just Color Mr. Baker could have supplied his customers with a flashy assortment of coleus ordered from wholesale sources, skipping years of effort (but missing all the astonishment).—
Margaret Roach,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Broadus stunned in a plush pink coat and matching fedora.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
In February 2013, Benedict stunned the Catholic world by becoming the first pope in six centuries to retire.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.—
Rob Mank,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 Apr. 2025
-
But the website also has messages about residents being startled, as Catanzaro was, by stealthy contractors with air guns.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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