variants
also surprized
1
as in amazed
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
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2
as in ambushed
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise
FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprized
as in dumfounded
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of surprised
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
My colleague wasn't the only one surprised to see that in black-and-white.
—Contessa Brewer,alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Enrique Limón, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
For a short film, I was surprised by two things.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprised
Verb
Picking up the signals was a stunning achievement, and nobody was surprised when the first direct observation of gravitational waves won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
My colleague wasn't the only one surprised to see that in black-and-white.
—Contessa Brewer,alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Tayfun Coskun—Anadolu/Getty Images Aided by social media, the gathering was swiftly put together by 24-year-old West Valley City resident Bailey Saddler, who was surprised by the turnout.
—Enrique Limón, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
For a short film, I was surprised by two things.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprised
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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The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In 1935, Qassam and two of his followers ambushed a group of British Mandate policemen, murdering a Jewish sergeant.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Nationals ambushed Mazur to start the game.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The brutal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus shocked the nation and is forcing it to confront what appears to be an increase in political violence across the country.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Charlie Kirk shooting shocked the nation and has been the main story over the past view days, as political tensions rise.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Steven reacts like a startled cat when Belly tells him, then pivots to comfort and action.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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But when expert judgment was most needed, the autopilot abruptly handed control back to the startled crew, and flooded the zone with urgent, confusing warnings.—
David Autor,
The Atlantic,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jerry Neuheisel, assistant head coach and tight ends coach, running his hands through his blond hair, stunned.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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Seoul, South Korea — More than 300 South Korean workers detained by immigration authorities in Georgia last week arrived home on Friday, marking the end of a saga that has stunned their nation and threatened to upend a close bilateral friendship between the US and South Korea.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Wall Street veteran was astonished by the Chouinards’ sincere desire to part with their fortune.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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The success of the event astonished everybody.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Even his opponent on Friday, Auger-Aliassime, seemed awed by Sinner’s quarterfinal performance.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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Guest was particularly awed by John’s willingness to push past his current health issues for the role.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Predictably, the hubbub surrounding the photo was eventually framed as a war between uptight virgins and godless heathens, with a quieter contingent astounded only by the fact that this kind of marketing could still be so effective.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
2 Sep. 2025
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McGrady shares, adding that she is used to being astounded by Forest's connection with other animals.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprised. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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