Synonyms of surprises

surprises 1 of 2

noun

variants also surprizes

plural of surprise

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shocks
• jolts
• revelations
• bombshells
• stunners
• bolts from the blue
• jaw-droppers
• jars
• shockers
• wonders
• marvels
• amazements
• eye-openers
• kickers
• twists
• thunderclaps
• fillips
• wrinkles
• kicks

2

as in amazements

the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual

stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amazements
• astonishments
• shocks
• wonderments
• dismays
• wonders
• confusions
• awes
• stupefactions
• startlements
• startles
• bewilderments
• consternations
• discomfitures

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambushes
• ambushments
• attacks
• traps
• ambuscades
• assaults
• charges
• sallies
• snares
• captures
• entrapments
• mousetraps
• huntings

surprises

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizes

present tense third-person singular of surprise

1

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

• amazes
• shocks
• stuns
• startles
• astonishes
• rocks
• flabbergasts
• astounds
• dumbfounds
• stupefies
• takes by surprise
• bowls over
• takes aback
• bewilders
• perplexes
• confuses
• thunderstrikes
• blindsides
• dismays
• disconcerts
• befuddles
• floors
• shakes up
• discomfits
• blows away
• dazes
• nonpluses
• muddles
• confounds
• jars
• knocks for a loop

2

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

• ambushes
• attacks
• waylays
• captures
• assaults
• ambuscades
• traps
• storms
• jumps
• hunts
• tackles
• sallies
• assails
• strikes
• snares
• charges
• stalks
• mugs
• ensnares
• preys (on or upon)
• nets
• pounces (on)
• entraps
• mousetraps

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of surprises

Noun

This contributed to beautiful surprises, moments of repose, and bold flavors on each day of my visit. — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Big Brother Season 28 has many surprises stored for houseguests and viewers alike, and to kick off the new season, the reality competition is heading to YouTube. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Of all of the surprises to come out of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, the fact that Adam Sandler officiated was perhaps the biggest one. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 July 2026

The Rise of Online Communities One of the biggest surprises for many newcomers is how social modern dating platforms have become. — Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

The find suggests one of NASA’s most successful planet hunters may still have plenty of surprises hiding in its archives. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 6 July 2026

Lots to choose from here, as this World Cup has been a voyage of (mainly) pleasant surprises so far. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026

To avoid any surprises, shoppers should check store hours before heading out to the supermarket on Saturday, July 4 – the nation's semiquincentennial. — Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

And the gap between what people expect and what actually happens is one of the most expensive surprises in business. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Verb

Of course, something can always happen that surprises us and throws Wall Street for a loop. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026

But Armand surprises himself sometimes with the admissions that come out. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 July 2026

However, this is also a series that surprises audiences with mysterious twins that have been under your nose the whole time. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Himalayan Restaurant Similar to Tropicali, Himalayan Restaurant surprises visitors to downtown Big Bear with its impressive Indian and Nepalese food. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

What surprises people most is the diversity of the landscape here. — Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 26 June 2026

This is where the junk drawer surprises people. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026

Home to the largest freshwater dune system in the world, Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore often surprises first-time visitors with its stunning 450-feet-high dunes set against the deep-blue waters of Lake Michigan. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 24 June 2026

The explanation often surprises viewers, many of whom assume a house sold for one euro must come with significant strings attached. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026