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 attacks
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
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The real news, as Fortune's Jessica Mathews reports, was the basket of surprises that CEO Elon Musk unveiled.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Budget for the unexpected Construction management is full of surprises.
—Danielle Higley, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
That means this is one couple insistent on continually revealing new facets, moods and surprises.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Taking time to understand these mechanics now means fewer surprises in your mailbox later.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Understanding these frictions before adding more exposure can prevent unpleasant surprises later.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Writers Guild Awards nominations also dropped, which didn’t offer any surprises on the adapted screenplay front since all the Oscar nominees were eligible.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
The Oscars cap their nominees at five per category (with the exception of best picture), leading, invariably, to some surprises and omissions — some egregious, some understandable.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
So, there’s no number that surprises me anymore.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
There’s a chance — if Golesh elevates the offense and returning defensive coordinator DJ Durkin keeps the defense level — that Auburn surprises this season.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
What surprises many is the group’s ability to transcend language barriers.
—Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Again and again Winterson surprises us.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Intimacy feels intense, private and all-consuming in a way that surprises you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Equipment is available at no cost, a benefit that Sandoval said often surprises visitors.
—Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Its colonial charm is ideal for culture lovers and slow travelers—but Barichara also surprises the adventurous.
—Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
Noun
Both figures are positive surprises.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The real news, as Fortune's Jessica Mathews reports, was the basket of surprises that CEO Elon Musk unveiled.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Budget for the unexpected Construction management is full of surprises.
—Danielle Higley, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
That means this is one couple insistent on continually revealing new facets, moods and surprises.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Taking time to understand these mechanics now means fewer surprises in your mailbox later.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Understanding these frictions before adding more exposure can prevent unpleasant surprises later.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Writers Guild Awards nominations also dropped, which didn’t offer any surprises on the adapted screenplay front since all the Oscar nominees were eligible.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
The Oscars cap their nominees at five per category (with the exception of best picture), leading, invariably, to some surprises and omissions — some egregious, some understandable.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
And the thing that hits is the thing that surprises you.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
So, there’s no number that surprises me anymore.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
There’s a chance — if Golesh elevates the offense and returning defensive coordinator DJ Durkin keeps the defense level — that Auburn surprises this season.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
What surprises many is the group’s ability to transcend language barriers.
—Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Again and again Winterson surprises us.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Intimacy feels intense, private and all-consuming in a way that surprises you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Equipment is available at no cost, a benefit that Sandoval said often surprises visitors.
—Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Its colonial charm is ideal for culture lovers and slow travelers—but Barichara also surprises the adventurous.
—Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
These systems help ensure steady supplies for semiconductors, batteries and advanced manufacturing when trade restrictions, export controls or price shocks strain primary sources — allowing companies to manage costs and stay competitive.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Those who came under suspicion were taken unwillingly to a military hospital in Pretoria, cut off from their families, and subjected to electric shocks.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the months before the surge in operations, police lost 25 armored vehicles to ambushes involving barricades, trenches and Molotov cocktail attacks, authorities said.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has used the tunnels to store weapons, hide hostages and stage ambushes of Israeli soldiers.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which typically attacks memory, FTD primarily affects behavior, personality, and language.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
-
One option is a small, worm-like organism that attacks them in the soil.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.—
Katie Lauer,
Mercury News,
22 Dec. 2025
-
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Nicole Kidman stuns in an orange ensemble while in Paris, as Diane Kruger and Norman Reedus have a rare date night at the Armani Privé show during Paris Fashion Week.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The versatile shade stuns on its own, layered under chrome, or baked into a design.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After a finale built on revelations and a last-minute cliffhanger, the new season pushes the story beyond the bunker walls and into the unknown.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Government admits failures of Army pilots A few legal revelations have been unveiled in the weeks leading up to the board meeting, which could create longer term impact on the Army and other agencies involved.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The report stated that an inspector went to the store to investigate and learned that managers were aware of a rodent problem and had traps beneath the shelves.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
For best results, install traps along walls, under appliances, and in other dark corners where mice are active and check the traps daily so mice don’t stay confined for long.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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