variants
also surprized
as in startled
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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surprised
Blair R. Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
On April 20, 1803, residents of Richmond, Virginia, after being roused out of bed by a fire bell, were surprised to see great numbers of meteors in all parts of the sky.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2026
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, his success has surprised his daughters.
—Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprised
Adjective
What’s most surprised you about the music industry?
—Blair R. Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
On April 20, 1803, residents of Richmond, Virginia, after being roused out of bed by a fire bell, were surprised to see great numbers of meteors in all parts of the sky.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
But the news still surprised her.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, his success has surprised his daughters.
—Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprised
Adjective
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Steve Miklos remembers feeling a bit startled when former Orange Lutheran athletic director Jim Kunau contacted him about becoming the school’s softball coach.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Miss Manners was only startled, not traumatized, and fortunately was able to maintain her grateful smile.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at this high school principal's incredible bravery.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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What really amazed the animal lover was Bow's loyalty to Shy, even though the dogs had only known each other for a day.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The violence then shifted to Brookhaven, where Mathews was ambushed and shot several times outside a business center.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Some residents say frustrations over the guard eased after two members of the West Virginia contingent were ambushed just blocks from the White House, killing Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and severely injuring her colleague.—
Gary Fields,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neighbors were shocked after the shooting, saying the area is normally a safe place for young people.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Even some prominent conservatives were shocked by Gorka’s return.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police on Friday closed Kensington Gardens, a central London park visited by thousands of tourists and local residents every day, after a group that Israel has linked to Iran posted a video claiming Israel’s nearby London embassy was going to be attacked with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
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The rabbi of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, which was attacked by arsonists over the weekend, took to social media on Sunday to show members of his congregation gathering in his home to pray.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Castro, who spent the day with Mejia and often translated for her, described Mejia as awed and giddy throughout the day.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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And the second-to-none acoustics, with 10,000 state-of-the-art fiber panels that project sound throughout the theater, will leave you awed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That result has stunned pancreatic cancer specialists.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One last thing Remember the wolf that stunned everyone by visiting Los Angeles County?—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Connie is bewildered but happy about this.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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This sometimes left audience members bewildered about what had actually happened.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprised. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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