Synonyms of surprises

surprises 1 of 2

noun

variants also surprizes

plural of surprise

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

• shocks
• jolts
• revelations
• bombshells
• stunners
• bolts from the blue
• jaw-droppers
• jars
• shockers
• wonders
• marvels
• amazements
• eye-openers
• kickers
• twists
• thunderclaps
• fillips
• wrinkles
• kicks

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

• amazements
• astonishments
• shocks
• wonderments
• dismays
• wonders
• confusions
• awes
• stupefactions
• startlements
• startles
• bewilderments
• consternations
• discomfitures

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

• ambushes
• ambushments
• attacks
• traps
• ambuscades
• assaults
• charges
• sallies
• snares
• captures
• entrapments
• mousetraps
• huntings

surprises

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizes

present tense third-person singular of surprise

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

• amazes
• shocks
• stuns
• startles
• astonishes
• rocks
• flabbergasts
• astounds
• dumbfounds
• stupefies
• takes by surprise
• bowls over
• takes aback
• bewilders
• perplexes
• confuses
• thunderstrikes
• blindsides
• dismays
• disconcerts
• befuddles
• floors
• shakes up
• discomfits
• blows away
• dazes
• nonpluses
• muddles
• confounds
• jars
• knocks for a loop

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

• ambushes
• attacks
• waylays
• captures
• assaults
• ambuscades
• traps
• storms
• jumps
• hunts
• tackles
• sallies
• assails
• strikes
• snares
• charges
• stalks
• mugs
• ensnares
• preys (on or upon)
• nets
• pounces (on)
• entraps
• mousetraps

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of surprises

Noun

The opener also offered a glimpse at the Heat’s initial bench rotation, and there weren’t any big surprises. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Dinklage is perfect casting as the slightly duplicitous Basket Weaver, an artisan who has his own surprises in store. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

On this night, their fantastic rock spectacle went even further with new narrative twists and other fun surprises. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Legislating is hard, and any eventual healthcare law will surely involve compromises and unexpected surprises. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

The Philadelphia Zoo is getting into the Halloween spirit with Boo at the Zoo, a family-friendly event featuring trick-or-treating, carnival games and spooky surprises. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

From a computational perspective, Friston argues, attempting to reduce uncertainty—basically, working to avoid unpleasant surprises—is the brain’s primary goal. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Locking that in on arrival prevents surprises deeper into a back-to-back trip stretch. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Afterward, Fielder pleaded with the crowd to keep the film’s biggest surprises to themselves. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Each step sends a ripple through the spongy, thin mat, a slow undulating motion beneath your feet that surprises the senses, disorienting yet simultaneously strangely delightful. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

After more than 13 years of working together, Jordan rarely surprises me. — Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

What usually surprises them is how much time goes into the preparation and the care, not just the color, and how long the results last. — Lucy Abbersteen, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Pears The fiber content of pears often surprises people, Johnson said. — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2026

The workers’ comp rule that surprises almost everyone Most states require workers’ compensation insurance once a business hires its first employee. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

In the scene, Ashley dances in her bedroom to music on her Walkman when Smith walks in and surprises her by dancing along. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

The consequence is really mechanical attacking that surprises nobody and desperately needs a rogue element. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Every March and September, this event attracts spectators from all over to Apache Junction, eager to witness this breathtaking moment when nature surprises us. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026