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
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 June 2025
The surprise attack on Tehran raised the stakes in a long-running internal dispute, whose stakes could increase as Israel’s need for support grows in response to Iranian retaliation.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 June 2025
Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
These moments in each Arcane episode see the writing and animation coalesce around a single development, arc, or character and surprise audiences and challenge their expectations around the show’s visual universe.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
His comments come after Iran launched retaliatory drone and air strikes toward Israel Friday in response to the Israeli military’s surprise attack a day earlier — which targeted Tehran’s nuclear facilities and ballistic missile sites.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 June 2025
The surprise attack on Tehran raised the stakes in a long-running internal dispute, whose stakes could increase as Israel’s need for support grows in response to Iranian retaliation.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
Other teams to watch are Pachuca (Mexico), the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup winners, and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), which has several former European stars and could surprise observers and fans.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
These moments in each Arcane episode see the writing and animation coalesce around a single development, arc, or character and surprise audiences and challenge their expectations around the show’s visual universe.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
In the age of Trump’s global tariffs, Beijing is unleashing an export shock across the globe.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
19 June 2025
-
The majority of those injured at Soroka were hurt while seeking shelter or suffered from shock.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Then, to my utter amazement, four geese tumbled one by one out of the line-stone dead, not even a kicker.—
Nash Buckingham,
Outdoor Life,
19 June 2025
-
Within three weeks, to Akasha’s amazement, Shimshai was up to 40 orders a day.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Also watch out for ambush drones parked by the side of the road, which take off when a target approached.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
But in South Africa, the two leaders’ reaction to their Oval Office ambush served as a remarkable public display of a new era in the country’s politics, one marked by solidarity and compromise.—
Kate Bartlett,
Christian Science Monitor,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
History is a window onto the past that always surprises and amazes me.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
13 June 2025
-
The science behind the process continues to amaze me.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Diddy's alleged reaction to public release of his attack on Cassie Ventura Jane's testimony gave the jury insight into how Diddy reacted when surveillance footage of the rapper attacking Cassie Ventura went public in May 2024.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2025
-
In a May 2, 2017 text, Ventura was clear with Khorram that Combs allegedly attacked her.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
At a news briefing later that day, Mayor Karen Bass expressed astonishment about Padilla’s treatment.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
-
For Córdova, that path began with a moment of astonishment: watching a television program about neutron stars as a young woman, she was struck by the immensity of the cosmos and felt the pull of a question that would guide her for a lifetime — how does the universe work?—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Charlotte had stunned the Canucks with a goal at the 8:22 mark of the first period, and the game was tied 1-1 entering the final 20 minutes.—
Steve Lyttle,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
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The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Part of what startled Fitzgerald’s generation about their studio experience was how near at hand the real bad guys could be.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The warning comes about two weeks after a Florida woman was killed when her canoe startled an 11-foot alligator at Lake Kissimmee, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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