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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of surprise
Annie Palmer, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
In other words, suspense isn’t about surprise.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
If this is your first time getting a good coffee grinder, the necessary upkeep might surprise you.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
The surprise settlement comes as Amazon and the FTC were just three days into the trial in a Seattle federal court.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
In other words, suspense isn’t about surprise.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
And this was enough for the program to surprise everyone on Tuesday, as the team decided to part ways with former player and longtime head coach Mike Gundy.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
If this is your first time getting a good coffee grinder, the necessary upkeep might surprise you.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
Reaction to the Grand Blanc Township violence Statements of support, shock and encouragement quickly flooded social media.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Gertrude set out to generate the same kind of shock—modernism’s disruption of form and perspective—by using words to compose a fractured picture.—
Judith Thurman,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To her amazement, the twins’ dad answered.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
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Here fans of thrifting and the Starfield game shared their amazement.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In all of 2024, there were 61 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers nationwide, resulting in 79 officers shot, 18 fatally, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
26 Sep. 2025
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Jahn, who shot himself to death on the roof of a three-story office building, was not a member of a political group, is believed to have acted without accomplices, and expected to die during the ambush, authorities said.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her ex and his friends attacked him with a baseball bat and tried to shove him in a washing machine at one of his dad’s laundromats.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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As the first crews began attacking the fire from inside the building, other crews were called in to make sure no one was inside.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Numerous Hollywood publicists, producers, media executives who spoke with CNN on Wednesday evening expressed their astonishment over the suspension.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
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Rapace’s response externalizes four different beats, from a snort to a tear, astonishment to anger.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … GRACE OVER HATE – Erika Kirk's powerful act of forgiveness toward husband's killer stuns faith leaders.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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Getting stunned in a corner by a few enemies or having the camera get stuck in an awkward viewpoint were minor blemishes across my playtime.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sleep may be disturbed by a pet's movements, and dogs may bite if startled.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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The record-scratch startle that jump-starts the dramatic arc occurs when Eleanor (Squibb) is trying to figure out what to do with herself at a Manhattan Jewish community center after recently relocating from Florida.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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