Synonyms of surprising

surprising 1 of 2

adjective

sər-ˈprī-ziŋ 

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

• startling
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing
• wonderful
• unexpected
• astounding
• incredible
• stupefying
• breathtaking
• awesome
• jolting
• jarring
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• jaw-dropping
• miraculous
• unusual
• eye-opening
• extraordinary
• staggering
• remarkable
• spectacular
• blindsiding
• awful
• impressive
• perplexing
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• uncommon
• unlikely
• wondrous
• dismaying
• confusing
• disconcerting
• stupendous
• upsetting
• confounding
• unbelievable
• marvelous
• inconceivable
• sublime
• noticeable
• rare
• sensational
• unthinkable
• phenomenal
• notable
• unimaginable
• prodigious
• incomprehensible
• striking
• bewildering
• outstanding
• portentous
• discomfiting
• befuddling
• unannounced
• conspicuous
• fabulous
• unwonted
• unique
• heart-stopping
• nonplussing
• flustering
• muddling
• singular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsurprising
• common
• typical
• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• customary
• mundane
• unremarkable
• unexceptional

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

• astonishing
• wonderful
• amazing
• miraculous
• incredible
• stunning
• marvelous
• sublime
• staggering
• extraordinary
• impressive
• awesome
• remarkable
• wondrous
• astounding
• stupendous
• interesting
• spectacular
• unusual
• prodigious
• fabulous
• fascinating
• portentous
• awful
• eye-opening
• exciting
• unbelievable
• inconceivable
• uncommon
• unique
• striking
• unthinkable
• unimaginable
• rare
• incomprehensible
• noticeable
• outstanding
• notable
• enchanting
• attractive
• phenomenal
• charming
• attracting
• conspicuous
• sensational
• enlightening
• unwonted
• entertaining
• alluring
• mind-blowing
• singular
• mind-boggling
• mind-bending
• beguiling
• smashing
• enthralling
• invigorating
• stimulating
• captivating
• energizing
• enlivening
• bewitching
• galvanizing
• animating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unremarkable
• unimpressive
• tedious
• uninteresting
• boring
• typical
• uninspiring
• common
• usual
• ordinary
• monotonous
• normal
• dull
• customary
• tiring
• weary
• wearisome
• mundane
• uninspired
• wearying
• unexceptional
• exhausting
• draining
• fatiguing
• discouraging
• debilitating
• disheartening
• wearing
• jading
• dispiriting
• demoralizing
• enervating
• enfeebling

surprising

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizing

present participle of surprise

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

• amazing
• shocking
• startling
• stunning
• astonishing
• astounding
• rocking
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• stupefying
• bewildering
• perplexing
• taking by surprise
• disconcerting
• confusing
• bowling over
• thunderstriking
• befuddling
• dismaying
• jarring
• taking aback
• discomfiting
• nonplussing
• blindsiding
• flooring
• blowing away
• confounding
• shaking up
• muddling
• dazing
• knocking for a loop

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

• ambushing
• attacking
• capturing
• waylaying
• assaulting
• striking
• ambuscading
• hunting
• tackling
• assailing
• trapping
• jumping
• storming
• pouncing (on)
• mugging
• stalking
• snaring
• ensnaring
• preying (on or upon)
• sallying
• entrapping
• charging
• netting
• mousetrapping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of surprising

Adjective

But with about 95% of precincts reporting, Nixon, won the primary by about 11 percentage points in arguably the most surprising win for a DSA candidate this year. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Last week, the team’s majority shareholder, Mark Walter, suddenly moved to sell his portion of ownership in the team to Kushner and Iger, surprising many in the NBA. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

The first episode of the high-stakes show will feature Marcus Samuelsson surprising Flay by joining his restaurant Hav & Mar’s team alongside his executive chef Fariyal Abdullahi. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 June 2026