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
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
How Splash Became a Recovery Otter Otters can be trained through positive reinforcement, and a surprising tonnage of Internet writing and YouTube videos exist online for how to train them.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Detroit rapper Kash Doll pulled out all the stops for her boyfriend, NFL star Za’Darius Smith’s 33rd birthday, surprising him with a custom ride that has fans talking.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
Shop James Allen’s Newest Sculptural Waves Ring Collection James Allen, a top online engagement ring and fine jewelry retailer, is surprising fans (and soon-to-be fiancés) with something quite out of the ordinary thanks to its latest release.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
How Splash Became a Recovery Otter Otters can be trained through positive reinforcement, and a surprising tonnage of Internet writing and YouTube videos exist online for how to train them.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
After tense standoffs with Mallory (Crystle Stewart) and Horace's ex-wife, Olivia (Debbi Morgan), Kimmie enters the meeting and promptly takes it over, surprising the family with her mind for numbers.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Detroit rapper Kash Doll pulled out all the stops for her boyfriend, NFL star Za’Darius Smith’s 33rd birthday, surprising him with a custom ride that has fans talking.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
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However, what was so startling about Gueye’s performance was the decision-making.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
His comment was startling to the rest of the band.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Every few minutes the jungle deposited us onto an astonishing beach.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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The astonishing result, achieved by the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) collaboration, represents the first-ever observation of single top quark production with W and Z bosons, a process known as tWZ production.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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After ambushing Fuller at her mansion, Teddy and his accomplice/cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) knock her unconscious with a tranquilizer and load her into the backseat of her own car.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Antetokounmpo delivered one of the most amazing closeout performances of all-time.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
And the reach of Prime Video, especially globally, is really, really amazing.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That scene was so incredibly awkward… and wonderful.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Technology glitches, shocking headlines and erratic behavior aren’t unusual under this type of transit, so keep your eyes peeled.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Is there a way for the film to hold an audience member through the violence instead of shocking them with it, and to meet them on the other side with an open heart?—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann, Germany has rediscovered its attacking rhythm and pressing intensity, signaling a potential return to the elite.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement has angered many Americans by wearing masks while on duty, attacking peaceful protesters and arresting mostly people with no criminal record.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Republican finger-pointing has begun in the wake of Democrats’ stunning success in Tuesday night’s elections.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
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Last summer, following Mamdani’s stunning primary victory, many friends and colleagues were anxious that this Democratic candidate was too liberal, too anti-business, too inexperienced for the global stage, and simply too young.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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