variants
also surprizes
1
as in shocks
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 amazements
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ambushes
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
waited under cover of darkness and took the enemy encampment by surprise at dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprizes
1
as in amazes
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 traps
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 surprises
Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Wildcats stumbled early but got hot in October, won 10 games, beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl and were one of the biggest surprises in the country.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Fans were in for an unforgettable night filled with surprises, from exclusive custom merchandise to a special surprise performance by Ty Dolla $ign.
—Quincy Green, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Today's lengthy Nintendo Direct dropped many surprises for Switch and Switch 2 owners looking to expand their game libraries.
—PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Despite a limited sample size, these five draft-eligible prospects have been pleasant surprises in 2025 and have helped their NFL Draft outlooks.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Here are three snubs and three surprises among the CMA nominations that show how the genre is handling its growth.
—Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
There's just one episode to go in the third and final season of the Prime Video hit, which is adapted from Jenny Han's bestselling book trilogy of the same name, and as Han, who is also showrunner on the series, has teased, there have been a lot of surprises ahead of the finale.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Fans got an evening full of Moon Persons being handed out, show-stopping performances and plenty of surprises along the way — including a live f-bomb and touching family moment with the Osbournes.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The potential intruder surprises her in the water.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
In New York City, Charlie Sheen embarks on a book tour for his new memoir, The Book of Sheen, while Doja Cat surprises fans at her pop-up in Union Square.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Stephanie surprises son Jack on his second day at school.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
If that surprises you, don’t feel alarmed.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Possibly, a relative, neighbor or daily contact will do something that surprises you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
Tucked into the foothills of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Woodstock is the kind of place that surprises you.
—Tykesha Spivey Burton, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Deion Sanders is always prepared going into game days as Colorado’s head coach, but a certain smell during home games still surprises him.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
The final twist ended a night with a number of surprises at the show honoring TV’s top programs.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Wildcats stumbled early but got hot in October, won 10 games, beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl and were one of the biggest surprises in the country.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Fans were in for an unforgettable night filled with surprises, from exclusive custom merchandise to a special surprise performance by Ty Dolla $ign.
—Quincy Green, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Today's lengthy Nintendo Direct dropped many surprises for Switch and Switch 2 owners looking to expand their game libraries.
—PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Despite a limited sample size, these five draft-eligible prospects have been pleasant surprises in 2025 and have helped their NFL Draft outlooks.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Here are three snubs and three surprises among the CMA nominations that show how the genre is handling its growth.
—Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
There's just one episode to go in the third and final season of the Prime Video hit, which is adapted from Jenny Han's bestselling book trilogy of the same name, and as Han, who is also showrunner on the series, has teased, there have been a lot of surprises ahead of the finale.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Fans got an evening full of Moon Persons being handed out, show-stopping performances and plenty of surprises along the way — including a live f-bomb and touching family moment with the Osbournes.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Unless the Fed surprises with a half point cut or strongly suggests another cut will come at the October meeting, a case could be made stocks are a bit out over their skis.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The potential intruder surprises her in the water.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
In New York City, Charlie Sheen embarks on a book tour for his new memoir, The Book of Sheen, while Doja Cat surprises fans at her pop-up in Union Square.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Stephanie surprises son Jack on his second day at school.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
If that surprises you, don’t feel alarmed.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Possibly, a relative, neighbor or daily contact will do something that surprises you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
Tucked into the foothills of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Woodstock is the kind of place that surprises you.
—Tykesha Spivey Burton, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Deion Sanders is always prepared going into game days as Colorado’s head coach, but a certain smell during home games still surprises him.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Design Portfolio Glide Paths Start conservatively and gradually increase equity exposure to reduce early-retirement shocks.—
Andrew Whalen,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
These are families and investors looking for protection from inflation, taxation, and systemic shocks.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The mission has also lost two members of its force in gang ambushes; while one has been confirmed dead the other is still been regarded as missing even though local media has reported him as dead.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The recent Hamas ambushes have also raised growing concerns among Israeli military officials that more soldiers could be captured.—
Leila Seurat,
Foreign Affairs,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Remus, who is now 5, amazes his family by reading books on his own, a development which Whittenburg attributes in part to the Imagination Library.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Expect breakthrough conversations, personal revelations and relationships that come to an end (or begin unexpectedly).—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
But the news cycle just keeps churning with new revelations about how tight Trump and Epstein were.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chamarel, Mauritius Spilling across the volcanic hills of southwest Mauritius, Chamarel stuns with its terrain—Seven Coloured Earth ripples in bands of violet, ochre, and rust, shifting under the tropical sun like a living canvas.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is a massive 4K television that stuns with vibrant colors, hands-free voice control, and a $701 discount.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Keep reading for Entertainment Weekly's breakdown of the highlights, bombshells, and everything that's transpired since the season 7 Love Island USA reunion.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Over six weeks, the contestants coupled up, decoupled, sent fellow castmembers home, participated in challenges and resisted (or gave into) the temptation of new attractive bombshells.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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