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
Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
On Monday afternoon, some residents were surprised to hear tornado sirens sound as a thunderstorm moved into the area.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Demand for the prog-rockers surprised even Rush stalwarts Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprised
Adjective
Manager Clayton McCullough wasn’t surprised.
—Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
On Monday afternoon, some residents were surprised to hear tornado sirens sound as a thunderstorm moved into the area.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Verb
James, who died in 1978, might not have been surprised.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Demand for the prog-rockers surprised even Rush stalwarts Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprised
Adjective
-
Robinson was startled to discover that this applicant intended to sell guns from his apartment in a building downtown, a few blocks from Camden Yards.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
1 June 2026
-
Some riders were mounted, while others were leading horses by hand when the startled animals broke free, the outlet said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
When Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone at America’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, the invention amazed the crowd.—
David H. Hsu,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On July 15, 1992, Alex and Nickell were walking on Wimbledon Common in southwest London when they were ambushed.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
Three police officers and a civilian were among the latest victims when a gang ambushed them last week.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Given the dramatic manner in which the hulking piers marched down the center of the institution’s narrow corridor, flanked by the photographer’s three-inch-square Polaroids, hung as if in awed supplication, the effect verged on hyperbole, the gnomic ceding to the grandiose.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In Game 3, Wembanyama shocked Knicks fans by pushing Jalen Brunson to the floor without drawing a foul.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Images from the confrontation shocked the nation and helped build support for passage of the Voting Rights Act later that year.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Three people were killed and 20 more people were attacked by bears across at least nine prefectures between April and June 2, according to public broadcaster NHK.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
During the Gaza war, the Houthis attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea — including ships with no link to Israel — to pressure Israel into lifting its blockade on the enclave.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Kelli cries over how solid the Mwangi unit is, praising Gerald as a father and husband and affirming that Shamea’s ass is real, while everyone else looks on, bewildered.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was on the podium with him, took off his glasses and looked at his teammate with a bewildered expression.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The crowd appears stunned at how New York has started the game.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Fans who lined up outside of the Four Seasons Hotel were stunned when Mbappé walked to the security barriers to meet them and sign their team gear.—
Brandon Truitt,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprised. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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