1
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the surprising news that they were going to have a baby had them rushing to buy nursery furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in astonishing
causing wonder or astonishment
it's surprising how much knowledge of physics the architects of those immense medieval cathedrals must have had
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also surprizing
1
as in amazing
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 ambushing
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 surprising
Marisa Lagos, NPR, 6 June 2026
More surprising than the shortcomings themselves is how rarely they are openly acknowledged or questioned by either patients or providers.
—Nisha Narayanan, STAT, 5 June 2026
Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Since Vic and Christine didn’t get an international getaway, TurboTax is surprising them with a honeymoon (and handling their first joint tax return while they’re gone, of course).
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
Becerra, former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, has staged one of the most surprising comebacks in recent state political history.
—Marisa Lagos, NPR, 6 June 2026
More surprising than the shortcomings themselves is how rarely they are openly acknowledged or questioned by either patients or providers.
—Nisha Narayanan, STAT, 5 June 2026
Verb
Zara has been surprising them from the very beginning.
—Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Since Vic and Christine didn’t get an international getaway, TurboTax is surprising them with a honeymoon (and handling their first joint tax return while they’re gone, of course).
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
These sprinklers detect motion and will squirt bursts of water, startling squirrels and chasing them out of your garden.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
One of the more startling nuggets the doc reveals concerns Paul Bateson, the former radiological technician convicted of Verrill’s murder.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
The widespread opposition has turned into a rare bipartisan issue, with conservatives and liberals joining sides to an astonishing degree.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
-
An astonishing 51 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Arizona’s offense set the tone for the night by absolutely ambushing Ray, needing just six pitches to plate four runs.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
Atletico’s path to the semifinals has been taking first-leg leads — ambushing Tottenham at home then winning at Barcelona — before riding out severe pressure in the return game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Where the movie’s true eccentricity comes in is in its combination of breezy comedy with shocking brutality and gore, perhaps most exemplified in an oddly casual moment in a morgue where Seagal and Wayans find a clue in the form of a serial number on a dead woman’s breast implant.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
5 June 2026
-
Crayton said that the decision to allow Alabama to ignore the lower court’s ruling was shocking.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Delisle was fiery and wonderful, but the angel came later.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
The retro American bar—with its picture windows right on the river—is a wonderful spot for a glass of fizz or a vintage Negroni.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
-
Akindahunsi is accused of attacking several women the night of May 28.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The bathroom was stunning—all white and glass—and as high tech as the bedroom, with a state-of-the-art toilet and electronic bidet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
Since then, Irby has continued to spotlight some of the sport’s most stunning plays and impressive stars, including former Arkansas slugger and current AUSL player Bri Ellis, while also engaging with players from stalwart programs in the comments.—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
