variants
also surprize
1
as in shock
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected
the anniversary party was such a complete surprise that the couple was speechless for a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in amazement
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprize
1
as in to amaze
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 to ambush
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 surprise
Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie made a surprise move in Wednesday’s season opener against the Phoenix Suns.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The petite sizing is a great match for any miniature tree installation or a fun way to surprise someone who’s a longtime collector.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
For others, these surprises can come in the form of health crises or emergencies involving aging relatives, requiring international travel and extra expenses that aren’t easy to predict.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie made a surprise move in Wednesday’s season opener against the Phoenix Suns.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
The reaction surprised him in part because the crane poster is much less colorful than his typical designs.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The petite sizing is a great match for any miniature tree installation or a fun way to surprise someone who’s a longtime collector.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
Sudden macroeconomic shocks or trend reversals can push prices well below the EMA, leading to mark-to-market losses or assignments on declining stocks.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Eight years on, FII has evolved from a stage for shock-and-awe reveals into a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s maturing economic strategy, and of Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) central role in driving it.—
Wael Mahdi,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
More than six months later, a reply arrived in the mail—sparking amazement and confusion in her household, and fascination among viewers online.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Teammates Curry and Horford, watching in street clothes from the bench, looked on in equal parts disbelief and amazement.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After what witnesses and victims described as an ambush, some inmates seized and passed out from the fumes.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Israel launched strikes against Hamas in Gaza and reportedly suspended all aid shipments on Sunday after blaming Hamas for a lethal Palestinian ambush that left two soldiers dead.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Kim Kardashian knows how to turn heads, but the reaction to her shapewear brand Skims unveiling of thongs with fake pubic hair amazed even her.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the game, Elliott operated as the right ‘No 10’ (attacking midfielder), passing neatly and playing well in a first half that only offered promise in spurts.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
All patients were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy drugs that help the immune system recognize and attack tumor cells more effectively.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many people who knew Mamdani before his run for mayor confessed to some astonishment at the success of his campaign.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
-
There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv on Wednesday — contrasted with bitter dismissal and some mocking defiance in Moscow — after President Donald Trump said Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those close to me were stunned by my transformation.—
Connie Bennett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Rafael and Deneane Hancock, who took first place, stunned the crowd with a C-Walk midway through their second scored couples dance.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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