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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surprise
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Chick-fil-A Dave’s Hot Chicken Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Shake Shack
Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken
Habit Burger and Grill
Denny’s
Wingstop
McDonald’s
Zaxby’s
Some of the chains on the top 10 may not come as much of a surprise to families.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 8 July 2025
Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Pro-Shah forces came out in droves, surprising the CIA.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
However, when Dawkins walked into the Longhorns’ gym at 7:15 a.m., well in advance of the team’s early morning practice time, Johnson caught Dawkins by surprise.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Chick-fil-A Dave’s Hot Chicken Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Shake Shack
Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken
Habit Burger and Grill
Denny’s
Wingstop
McDonald’s
Zaxby’s
Some of the chains on the top 10 may not come as much of a surprise to families.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 8 July 2025
Verb
What may surprise bank and credit union executives is the scale and demographic breadth of the deposit outflow.
—Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Pro-Shah forces came out in droves, surprising the CIA.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
This good news probably comes as a shock to the average American consumer, and certainly to the average Democrat, who earlier this year thought Trump would usher in America’s Dark Ages.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
With no traditional risk factors and a dentist who initially dismissed her concerns, the news came as a shock.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The proud dad shared an adorable new photo with their little one on Instagram Wednesday, July 3 On Wednesday, July 2, Irwin's husband, Chandler Powell, 28, shared an adorable Instagram photo of Grace Warrior Irwin Powell staring in amazement at a rainbow.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
4 July 2025
-
Others shared their amazement at the animals captured on the video.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Waiting in ambush uses power, and the drone’s battery will have been running down.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Authorities also confirmed the identity of the suspect in the firefighter ambush.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
This creator, in the true sense of the word, adds a touch here and there, drapes or lets fall the folds of a cape or a huge collar, borrows from all the epochs of fashion and interprets them all, and in the sum total, never fails to amaze us with his exquisite audacity.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
-
The Teton Range, covered in powder, amazes as far as the eye can see.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
In fact, as soon as Israel attacked Iran so many Israelis tried to leave the country that Tel Aviv forbade its own citizens from leaving the country.—
Ron Paul,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
-
Making homes more energy efficient is also a way to reduce carbon emissions, and thus attack the cause of more frequent and severe heat waves.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Jude Bellingham trotted over in his flip-flops in astonishment to congratulate Courtois before the two embraced, but no one was more pleased to see his goalkeeper come to the rescue than Alonso, who was asked what was going through his mind as Sabitzer’s effort headed towards goal.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
Johansson even joked in her musical monologue that castmember Sarah Sherman was leaving, to Sherman's mock astonishment.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
The Princess of Wales also stunned in a gold cape dress for the No Time to Die James Bond premiere in 2021 and for a 2023 State Visit by the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
Friends told me of arriving at a familiar spot for the first time after the cease-fire and being stunned by the sight of buildings ripped open by a blast.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Your trash schedule might not be top of mind this Independence Day between going to fireworks displays, making a last-minute run to the grocery store or getting startled by loud booms.—
Eleanor Nash
July 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2025
-
According to a crash report, a cicada flew into the driver's window, startling the driver.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share