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.
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Recent Examples of surprise
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Nearly 80% have also posted an upside revenue surprise.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Square Enix surprised us with another HD-2D RPG.
—PC Magazine, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
The party has already faced the surprise swing-state retirement of Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; Whatley is now its consensus pick to take on former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Nearly 80% have also posted an upside revenue surprise.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
The campaign claims Bronin’s early haul is twice what Larson had in cash on hand at the end of Q2, though the congressman was surprised by the flurry of challenges to what until now has been his certain reelection.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Square Enix surprised us with another HD-2D RPG.
—PC Magazine, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
Jenna Bush Hager brought a little spicy energy to Today With Jenna & Friends on Thursday, when the NBC personality used profanity during a live broadcast, much to the shock of colleague Willie Geist and her behind-the-scenes crew members.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
-
Finally, thanks to intuitive adaptive shocks that adjust damping rates on the fly—compensating for every minuscule bit of pitch and roll—the Turbo rode quite comfortably.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Concerned, the owner instantly got ready to jump in after Zoro the dog, but to his amazement the puppy worked it out, paddling with ease to the side of the pool.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
-
After 80 minutes of the highest highs and lowest lows, of falling in and out of love with life, of smelling the most sensual roses on the planet in a search for renewal, resurrection arrives in a blaze of amazement.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
The charges stem from an ambush at the Prairieland Detention Center earlier this month.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
16 July 2025
-
But in a motion last week, Lively’s team objected to that location, saying that Baldoni’s lawyers were setting up a media ambush, in which Lively would be besieged by paparazzi on her way in and out.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 July 2025
-
Red tint amazes skywatchers Smartphones not enough to capture moon's beauty What would a lunar eclipse look like if the earth was flat?—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
After the match, Uso helped attack Sikoa’s MFTs and Fatu hit a picturesque moonsault off the top of the cage onto Loa and Mateo, getting some momentum back after a controversial defeat.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Police responded to a call that an individual was being attacked by dogs at the Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino at around 5:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 31, KTLA and the Los Angeles Times reported.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Bare feet on grass, and astonishment at my little apple tree.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
31 July 2025
-
In an era of deepfakes and algorithmic sleight-of-hand, authentic astonishment is more valuable than ever.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
While she was alarmed by shiny black leggings, slingback boots, and a jean jacket, I was equally stunned by her Pentecostal version of nurses’ scrubs; a powder blue, boxy dress with a matching jacket and headwrap.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 July 2025
-
In January 2019, the Empire star claimed to have been a victim of a hate crime that stunned Hollywood but later was accused of staging the attack.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
He remains easily startled by loud noises, avoids direct eye contact, and is wary of new visitors.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
-
The formidable climb of YouTube in audience and influence has indeed startled the pop culture universe.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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