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 astonishment
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
show current usage.
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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
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Christina Lee, an adjunct instructor at FIT and the founder of lifestyle brand chng+crw, isn’t surprised by the popularity of these initiatives.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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
A little courage now could pay off in ways that surprise you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Christina Lee, an adjunct instructor at FIT and the founder of lifestyle brand chng+crw, isn’t surprised by the popularity of these initiatives.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
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But this could be the start of a period of stagflationary shocks where both sides of the mandate get worse at the same time.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a shock return for former head coach Gary O’Neil, with Rob Edwards another prominent candidate and Michael Carrick also in the frame to replace Vitor Pereira.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 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
-
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
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
-
My new surroundings, no doubt, amplified the psychosomatic jolt.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This lamp from his recent CB2 collection takes all the airiness of a Noguchi paper lantern and adds a jolt of chrome and marble for something seriously sexy.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 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
Verb
-
Elkins was stunned by how quickly the video gained traction.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On November 3, Paddington’s press tour brought him to the BBC, where journalist David Sillito was stunned into silence after seeing the bear in the flesh fur.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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