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
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
As a surprise, the WNBA had Adebayo present Wilson with the league’s MVP trophy at the end of an Aces practice last month.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Our tester with looser curls and naturally dry hair was surprised by how soft her strands felt, noting that the gel provided just enough control without overwhelming her curl pattern.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
The family outing comes a few weeks after Janet made a surprise appearance in England to support her brothers, who were performing as The Jacksons in July.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
As a surprise, the WNBA had Adebayo present Wilson with the league’s MVP trophy at the end of an Aces practice last month.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Chisholm was asked Tuesday if he was surprised by Boone’s decision.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Our tester with looser curls and naturally dry hair was surprised by how soft her strands felt, noting that the gel provided just enough control without overwhelming her curl pattern.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
When the initial wave of shock wore off this morning that Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are touring as Rush next year, most fans turned their attention to who will be taking on the absurdly difficult task of replacing the late Neil Peart behind the kit.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Friends reacted in shock to the audacity of the man.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To her amazement, the twins’ dad answered.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Here fans of thrifting and the Starfield game shared their amazement.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What happened Tuesday was an ambush by the potent Dodgers, who rolled to a 10-5 win in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Under an imperial decree, her captors become unlikely allies, guiding Jewish refugees through ambushes, shifting alliances and treacherous waters, while Sara confronts leadership, loyalty and love at a high cost.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the hands of editor Richard Mettler, some of those fragments serve montages that interlace how the tribes prepare to defend themselves with the way Jalabzeen readies himself to attack.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Having attacked the edge of the six-yard box, Rodon has to back-pedal and meet the ball, again, wide of the goal.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Numerous Hollywood publicists, producers, media executives who spoke with CNN on Wednesday evening expressed their astonishment over the suspension.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The industry was stunned when Colorado inked former National League MVP Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract after the 2021 season.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … OUT OF NOWHERE – Driver stunned when a surprise visitor makes a sudden appearance.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
First baseman Michael Toglia covered his head, too, and was startled when the ball landed a few feet from him.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Sleep may be disturbed by a pet's movements, and dogs may bite if startled.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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