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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surprises
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Daily marquee presentations with stars, storytellers and surprises.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The surprises on the show didn’t stop with Kunno’s eviction, as La Jefa announced one of the housemates would be removed from the house following multiple rule breaks.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
A lot of life is just coping—trying to adjust to the surprises life has thrown at you, trying to discern a good compromise from a bad compromise, trying to find the least bad option when no good ones are available.
—David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
But the biggest surprises were Costa Rica, Israel and Mexico, all of which ranked among the world’s twelve happiest countries.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
There are a bunch of those types of crazy surprises.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2026
Okay, good or bad surprises are bad.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Emotional rug-pulls arrive in the form of happy surprises that stretch the third act too long and test the limits of our disbelief.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Technology that feels upscale Where the Trax truly surprises is in its cabin technology.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
But the beauty of solo travel is the freedom to pivot — to extend a trail that surprises you or linger in a neighborhood that pulls you in.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
What often surprises first-time buyers is that physical gold almost always sells above the spot price.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Continue reading … MASSIVE UPSET — Venezuela surprises Team USA in thrilling World Baseball Classic final victory.
—FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Of course Darryl is quick to pass judgements, but also relates to her on a level that surprises him.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
What surprises you about the biggest donors?
—David Campbell, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Caroline eventually surprises Linda at the motel.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
Guests can expect to break out their detective skills to find hidden eggs packed with prizes, dares and surprises throughout the property in an Easter Egg Hunt After Dark.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Daily marquee presentations with stars, storytellers and surprises.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The surprises on the show didn’t stop with Kunno’s eviction, as La Jefa announced one of the housemates would be removed from the house following multiple rule breaks.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
A lot of life is just coping—trying to adjust to the surprises life has thrown at you, trying to discern a good compromise from a bad compromise, trying to find the least bad option when no good ones are available.
—David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
But the biggest surprises were Costa Rica, Israel and Mexico, all of which ranked among the world’s twelve happiest countries.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
There are a bunch of those types of crazy surprises.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2026
Okay, good or bad surprises are bad.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Emotional rug-pulls arrive in the form of happy surprises that stretch the third act too long and test the limits of our disbelief.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Jake Oettinger of the @DallasStars surprises an @AmericanAir flight!
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Technology that feels upscale Where the Trax truly surprises is in its cabin technology.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
But the beauty of solo travel is the freedom to pivot — to extend a trail that surprises you or linger in a neighborhood that pulls you in.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
What often surprises first-time buyers is that physical gold almost always sells above the spot price.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Continue reading … MASSIVE UPSET — Venezuela surprises Team USA in thrilling World Baseball Classic final victory.
—FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Of course Darryl is quick to pass judgements, but also relates to her on a level that surprises him.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
What surprises you about the biggest donors?
—David Campbell, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Caroline eventually surprises Linda at the motel.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Analysts partially credit the stability to a mature domestic biofuels industry that allows the country to withstand geopolitical shocks with minimal risk of fuel shortages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That conflict has caused cascading global energy shocks as Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and effectively cut off a fifth of the world’s oil supply, and Middle Eastern countries have bombed each other’s oil and gas infrastructure.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 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
-
The second thing that strikes me more and actually amazes me is the fact that this is a story, a trope, that is repeated in most of the presentation of Agnes Pockels.—
Mariel Carr,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Eva’s romance with her husband, Franklin Plaskett, delights and amazes her.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.—
Steve Mistler,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Oil tanker traffic through the strait has plunged as Iran attacks commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Then, as the pandemic waned, in 2023 and early ’24, came two jolts to the system – federal pandemic-era assistance ended, pulling food and food-related funding away from charities, and the number of people seeking food continued to grow.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Two of America’s largest tech companies suffered stunning defeats in court this week, sustaining early jolts in what could prove to be a seismic shift in how social media operates amid a new landscape of legal risk.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This trail stuns in either direction, but beginning at Clark Forks cuts elevation gain by nearly 2,000 feet.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Hyundai stuns with Atlas Hyundai showcased Atlas at CES in Las Vegas last month.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The investigation was opened after a referral from France’s Foreign Ministry and follows revelations published in the Epstein files and subsequent reporting in France.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The existence of the federal subpoena and revelations about a series of FBI interviews illustrate that the investigation could be far along, said McInerney, who is not involved with the probe and spoke with The Star as a legal expert.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These torons act as microscopic traps for light.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This time last year, surveillance traps had single-digit counts of black flies.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
