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.
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Recent Examples of surprising
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The movie’s box office drop off was surprising given its strong reviews, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data firm Comscore.
—Itzel Luna, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025
For the first days of living with a girlfriend, everything had been surprising—the fact, for example, that Ulla and Sunny had different ideas of privacy.
—Kiran Desai, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2025
This painful fall is surprising because the Marvel tentpole has the benefit of positive reviews and word-of-mouth, as well as a clear runway in terms of competition.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
There's a whole galaxy to explore with tons of story and side missions, boss encounters, ships, customization parts, and a surprising number of giant beasts hidden among the stars.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The movie’s box office drop off was surprising given its strong reviews, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data firm Comscore.
—Itzel Luna, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025
For the first days of living with a girlfriend, everything had been surprising—the fact, for example, that Ulla and Sunny had different ideas of privacy.
—Kiran Desai, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2025
This painful fall is surprising because the Marvel tentpole has the benefit of positive reviews and word-of-mouth, as well as a clear runway in terms of competition.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
While there have been some rumblings about Paramount on Reddit chat groups like Wall Street Bets, there hasn’t been anything like the Covid frenzy that boosted AMC Entertainment, GameStop and numerous other stocks to startling levels.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In 1956, the American geologist M. King Hubbert made a startling prediction: In a matter of decades, the supply of fuel on which so much of modern society depended would dwindle.—
Alexander C. Kaufman,
The Atlantic,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Its share price has spiked an astonishing 365% year to date, including a 150% surge in just over a month. MP’s market cap has risen from just over $2 billion to $13 billion, entering large-cap territory—not bad for a company that brought in just $204 million in revenue last year.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
12 Aug. 2025
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Kirkpatrick’s final estimate is an astonishing $3.4 billion.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But each was just a short hop from Tokyo, and the payoff was a deep dive into the many famous temples, shrines and amazing gastronomy of the area.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Thornton, who graduated from the former Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem, was a neighborhood blacktop legend at Rucker Park in the 1980s who entertained thousands of fans at Harlem courts with his amazing moves.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Caring, smart and fun with a wonderful calming Zen demeanor.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Preserving history is wonderful, but so is safety. — Mary Ellen Stepowany, Baltimore Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
As guests enter the suite, they are immediately struck by a feature bar and stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip with all of its glitz and glamour.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Tate didn't budge and Hall proceeded to put on stunning displays of GOP unity.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Three years after a 10-year-old boy endured a vicious shark attack that took his right leg below the knee, the now-teen is sharing his story of the life-altering encounter and miraculous series of events that culminated in his survival.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Emergency room doctors see the worst-case scenarios, the weird fluke accidents, the mysterious ailments and miraculous recoveries.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Encore® family of azaleas stands apart from all others with their incredible reblooming ability, sun tolerance, and cold hardiness.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
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Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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