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
Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
So in some ways there really hasn’t been a whole lot that has been surprising to me.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Sean Gregory, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Billy Joel kicked off the New Year by surprising a Florida crowd with his first live performance since receiving his brain disorder diagnosis in 2025.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
This wasn’t very surprising, since Lenderman has often drawn comparisons to the singer-songwriter, ever since the Wednesday guitarist broke through with his 2024 solo album, Manning Fireworks.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
So in some ways there really hasn’t been a whole lot that has been surprising to me.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
That was my first time successfully surprising him.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Billy Joel kicked off the New Year by surprising a Florida crowd with his first live performance since receiving his brain disorder diagnosis in 2025.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
Each year, startling rises in defense spending seem nearer, but do not bring change.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Nevils shares startling data to support these expert testimonies.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With the Games heading to France in 2030, there is work underway to include this astonishing sport into the schedule, but Billy says the speed skiing community is also content with its current position.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
To belittle the journalist asking about these claims in such sexist terms is astonishing.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 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 man accused of ambushing West Virginia National Guard members near the White House in November, killing one and severely wounding another, is set to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.—
Steve Beynon,
ABC News,
4 Feb. 2026
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The man accused of ambushing two West Virginia National Guard members in a shooting in the nation's capital, killing one and wounding another, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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Viewers barely have time to register what’s in front of them before there’s another shocking accusation, revelation, or character detail.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Thankfully, the wonderful leaders of our great state of Florida have corrected this problem.—
Krys Fluker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit, before the crowds descend for the summer months.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The strategy marks a shift toward attacking cartels’ financial systems as law enforcement pressure mounts on traditional drug routes.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Dan Ndoye is capable of playing in a central attacking role and Morgan Gibbs-White has looked handy playing in a more advanced role.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department on Thursday filed a motion seeking to drop criminal charges against the two Venezuelan men.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Portland’s Damian Lillard joined Bird and Craig Hodges (1990-92) as the only three-time winners with a stunning exhibition in the final round, ending up with a score of 29 — two better than runner-up and 2018 champion Devin Booker of Phoenix.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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