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
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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
-
His recovery and startling physical transformation hardly a year after his injury became a frequent topic on social media.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
This is arguably a more startling possibility than the high concept at the film’s center, though it’s treated as secondary, not least because Abby’s own head hasn’t been in the game since losing her father Warren (David Starthairn) the year before.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Still, put in perspective, Spielberg’s cinematic universe over seven decades represents an astonishing range of topics and tensions.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
Vivid acidity and astonishing freshness frame flavors of lemon zest and Pink Lady apple with a closing note of salinity.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
17 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
-
Prosecutors, meanwhile, have alleged that Mangione meticulously planned the killing for months, documenting his thoughts in journals and traveling across the country before ambushing Thompson in New York City.—
Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
Lit up by minor-leaguers ambushing first-pitch fastballs?—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Here are the five most shocking moments from Dutton Ranch season 1, episode 6.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
-
While this may seem shocking, the most important variables found by Yartseva are informative.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
The campsite is a budget-friendly way to spend a few nights in the area, a wonderful addition given the more luxe vibe of the other spaces that makes this property feel like a real community.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
-
But in general, working with Tim is just wonderful.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
After the good Samaritan got him off the woman, witnesses say the man wandered to produce and began attacking a 16-year-old boy, but Garbe had followed him.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
After coming close on numerous attacking opportunities in the first, the Real Madrid star put England ahead for the good in the opening moments of the second.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 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
-
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 20 Jun. 2026.
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