Thesaurus results for SURPRIZES

surprises 1 of 2

noun

variants also surprizes

plural of surprise

as in shocks

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

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Relevance

as in amazements

the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin

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as in ambushes

a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait waited under cover of darkness and took the enemy encampment by surprise at dawn

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surprises

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizes

present tense third-person singular of surprise

as in amazes

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

as in attacks

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of surprises

Noun

Mark Wahlberg invites group to movie premiere And perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the day was when Intoccia called his dear friend, Boston native and Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg on FaceTime. — Paul Burton, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026 On an election night full of surprises across the country, the Charlotte region presented plenty of its own dramatic moments. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026 Perhaps the element of a few surprises could help the Seminoles’ offense. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026 So far, there have been no big surprises, said Mark Baldassare, statewide survey director at the Public Policy Institute of California. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Some 3 million lights line the pathways, along with holiday surprises like ice carvers and carolers. — Allison Yates, Midwest Living, 3 Nov. 2026 The fantasy film about a woman (Olivia Colman) who weaves a perfect lover (Alexander Skarsgård) out of the titular material is one of the happy box office surprises of Q4 so far. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026 The variety, the talent, the surprises … all of it demonstrates how vital and invigorating orchestras, chamber groups and classical composers can be. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026 The opener also offered a glimpse at the Heat’s initial bench rotation, and there weren’t any big surprises. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

And North of North, which was a surprise out of the gate, now surprises again with a deft tonal pivot. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026 Later, Joe shows up at 51 and surprises his team with a visit. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026 The reunion sees Gibbs alone in a room when someone surprises him from behind with their entrance. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2026 Each step sends a ripple through the spongy, thin mat, a slow undulating motion beneath your feet that surprises the senses, disorienting yet simultaneously strangely delightful. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 After more than 13 years of working together, Jordan rarely surprises me. — Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 What usually surprises them is how much time goes into the preparation and the care, not just the color, and how long the results last. — Lucy Abbersteen, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026 Pears The fiber content of pears often surprises people, Johnson said. — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2026 The workers’ comp rule that surprises almost everyone Most states require workers’ compensation insurance once a business hires its first employee. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises

Noun

Even diversified supply cannot shield countries from large shocks in global markets, as the American experience with soaring fuel prices shows.

— Laurence Tubiana, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
In an era of recurring shocks, the economies that prepare before the next disruption will be best placed not just to endure it, but to emerge stronger.

— Jihad Azour, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of shocks

Noun

With roads around the hospital unsafe, transferring patients to other facilities was not an option in the first hours of the attack, while sending ambulances into the field risked exposing them to Hamas ambushes.

— Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Social Media Capture The underlying tactic is not new, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces having previously used armed FPV drones to conduct roadside ambushes.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of ambushes

Verb

What amazes me is there seems to be a wide swath of Michiganders who don’t seem to mind being lied to.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026
His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of amazes

Verb

At the same time, in the real world, Lisa wakes up and attacks Thomas and Paladin, using her new, uh, nanobot powers?

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

— Health Editorial Team, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

In a very short time, Rider tweaked Celine’s mostly classic men’s wardrobe with little jolts of fashion, helpings of preppy, winks to the past and a very distinctive patina and hand — nothing too bright, stiff or high-contrast.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
In the bystander’s footage from behind, a screeching noise is heard before the Tahoe jolts forward.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of jolts

Noun

The team said traps with adjustable volumes could also accommodate more atoms in future experiments.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Claxton also will be expected to advance the ball out of the backcourt when guards come under siege from high traps, a consistent pattern from opposing defenses because of the Bulls’ tendency to turn the ball over.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of traps

Verb

And when Here There Are Blueberries does shift its lens the testimony of Auschwitz survivor Lili Jacob, also embodied by Cunningham, and an album of photos that depict the cruelty Höcker’s collection elides, the reversal stuns you.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
Union boss stuns with major Republican endorsement as election nears.

— , FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of stuns

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Style

“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of surprises

noun

verb

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