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 astonishment
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
Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
These mascots even followed Chalamet to a surprise screening of the film in New York City.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Christina Lee, an adjunct instructor at FIT and the founder of lifestyle brand chng+crw, isn’t surprised by the popularity of these initiatives.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
Bottom line Prepaid home internet offers the freedom to connect on your terms, with no contracts, credit checks, or surprises.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
These mascots even followed Chalamet to a surprise screening of the film in New York City.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
A little courage now could pay off in ways that surprise you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Christina Lee, an adjunct instructor at FIT and the founder of lifestyle brand chng+crw, isn’t surprised by the popularity of these initiatives.
—Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
There is a deep sense of shock at the BBC over the events of the past 24 hours, but also of anger.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
-
And the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting countries with its operational framework for climate-resilient health systems, offering a blueprint for countries to use these funds to build health systems that can withstand and respond to climate shocks.—
Vanessa Kerry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The image quickly drew astonishment and amusement from Reddit users, who could not believe the apparent lack of awareness—or concern—by the neighbors responsible.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Moments later, to her astonishment, Ducky climbed onto the front seat and gave a clear, unmistakable alert.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What’s happening now Fuel is running short in Bamako as militants belonging to a group called Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam al-Muslimin (JNIM) cut roads to the capital, attack military patrols and ambush tanker trucks.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Stines, 44, was allegedly caught on security video storming into Mullins’ chambers before shooting him in an alleged courthouse ambush that rattled the Appalachian community.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In October alone, shoppers were attacked in a supermarket, a Spanish tourist was scratched by a cub at a heritage site, and a trail runner was forced to wrestle a bear in the woods before sprinting to safety.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel in response and attacked the Middle East's largest American military base in Qatar.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
My new surroundings, no doubt, amplified the psychosomatic jolt.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This lamp from his recent CB2 collection takes all the airiness of a Noguchi paper lantern and adds a jolt of chrome and marble for something seriously sexy.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Here, much to the amazement of onlookers, sacrificial animals such as bulls would drop dead after breathing in noxious carbon dioxide fumes swirling up from below.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Much to Altshuler’s amazement, Time was willing to consider it, but not if the Newsweek cover was going forward.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elkins was stunned by how quickly the video gained traction.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On November 3, Paddington’s press tour brought him to the BBC, where journalist David Sillito was stunned into silence after seeing the bear in the flesh fur.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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