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
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Recent Examples of surprising
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
This isn’t surprising, because the Pocket 3 also has a Type 1 sensor, as does the Pocket 4.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Zara has been surprising them from the very beginning.
—Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
The entire Qatari team left its bench and joined him in celebration as the surprising number of fans in attendance celebrated.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
This isn’t surprising, because the Pocket 3 also has a Type 1 sensor, as does the Pocket 4.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Verb
Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Zara has been surprising them from the very beginning.
—Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
Trafficking networks — protected by political interference and corruption — operated with startling ease.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Medical literature is full of examples of the harms of energy drinks, so this case, while startling, is not an isolated event, Munshi said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Like many of the top execs at ESPN/ABC, Disney’s global ad sales president is a long-suffering Knicks fanatic, and her team’s astonishing comeback has placed them within arm’s reach of their first title in 53 years.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
-
Unfortunately and with frankly astonishing frequency, Mercedes chose poorly for this little sedan, over and over again.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
Verb
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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
-
The Astros were ambushing him, trying to put the ball in play as soon as possible.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
13 Nov. 2025
-
Over the past two months, JNIM has stepped up attacks on fuel supplies, ambushing tankers on the roads from Ivory Coast and Senegal.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid seemed to have turned a corner with an impressive 3-0 win at Athletic Club last Wednesday, but a shocking 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo on Sunday — characterised by familiar problems out of possession — brought them crashing back down to earth.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
There is a chance that the Crimson Tide could make a shocking run to a national championship win.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
But in general, working with Tim is just wonderful.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
The park and walls have wonderful views, so take a seat and relax.—
Jaymi McCann,
TheWeek,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Just attacking everything with strikes.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
Police in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights have released a sketch of a man accused of attacking and choking a woman this past weekend.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
His Qatari side equalized in the final minutes of their opening game, stunning the Swiss in the Bay Area in one of the shock results of the first weekend of the tournament.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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But spending 20 minutes staging content at the only overlook or the most stunning waterfall while a line of hikers waits behind you is not the move.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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