variants
also surprizes
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
Relevance
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
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
variants
also surprizes
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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of surprises
Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
Wilde navigates the tonal shifts with authority, delivering surprises along the way, including an ending that somehow delivers hope for the institution of wedlock.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Why catnip surprises gardeners as a pest deterrent Catnip is the wild card on the list — beloved by cats, but a serious headache for mosquitoes.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
The first is a failure of the game mechanics, where, even with more twists than a rattlesnake having a seizure, so few of them resulted in real surprises.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene explores Eleuthera with travel writer Terry Ward and discovers a Bahamas island full of surprises—far from the crowds of Nassau.
—AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
There are other surprises in store for even the most devout Frankenthaler fans.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 7 May 2026
But the surprises weren’t over.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Now there could be some surprises this summer in the Longlegs sense of the word.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
What surprises you most about Warsaw?
—Bridget Knowles, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Faster This one surprises people, but the science is real.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Someone once told me that the definition of news is something that surprises you.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Called the Island of Eight Flags for its tumultuous past in which countries warred over this land, Amelia Island is a jack-of-all-trades vacation destination that surprises and surpasses expectations on nearly every front.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
At this point, the speed of it barely surprises me anymore.
—Katrine Wallace, STAT, 8 May 2026
South Dakota surprises visitors with a diverse mix of landscapes, Western towns, and buzzy cities.
—Midwest Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Given this, what still surprises me is how rarely art schools teach the business realities of being an artist – and how often artists cling to the belief that their art alone will make their careers.
—Magnus Resch, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
And yet, there were several strategic surprises in how the networks, in particular, plan to roll out their new and returning series.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
Wilde navigates the tonal shifts with authority, delivering surprises along the way, including an ending that somehow delivers hope for the institution of wedlock.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Why catnip surprises gardeners as a pest deterrent Catnip is the wild card on the list — beloved by cats, but a serious headache for mosquitoes.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
The first is a failure of the game mechanics, where, even with more twists than a rattlesnake having a seizure, so few of them resulted in real surprises.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene explores Eleuthera with travel writer Terry Ward and discovers a Bahamas island full of surprises—far from the crowds of Nassau.
—AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
There are other surprises in store for even the most devout Frankenthaler fans.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 7 May 2026
But the surprises weren’t over.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Now there could be some surprises this summer in the Longlegs sense of the word.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Verb
And what surprises many people outside Finland is that mild alcohol is actually a very common and almost emblematic part of the sauna experience.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
What surprises you most about Warsaw?
—Bridget Knowles, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Faster This one surprises people, but the science is real.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Someone once told me that the definition of news is something that surprises you.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Called the Island of Eight Flags for its tumultuous past in which countries warred over this land, Amelia Island is a jack-of-all-trades vacation destination that surprises and surpasses expectations on nearly every front.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
At this point, the speed of it barely surprises me anymore.
—Katrine Wallace, STAT, 8 May 2026
South Dakota surprises visitors with a diverse mix of landscapes, Western towns, and buzzy cities.
—Midwest Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Given this, what still surprises me is how rarely art schools teach the business realities of being an artist – and how often artists cling to the belief that their art alone will make their careers.
—Magnus Resch, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Additionally, the uptick comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, highlighting trade performance in the region is less vulnerable to external supply shocks.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
-
Analysts have raised concerns about concentration risks in South Korea's stock market, with an overreliance on a small group of companies raising the risk of volatility and vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, including a slowdown in data-center spending.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Even in areas not under its direct control, the widespread sympathy in rural areas allows JNIM to set up ambushes along the main roads and dominate the main supply routes into the capitals, especially in Mali.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
-
Service members could face ambushes en route, and specialized units would need to extract the uranium.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The second thing that strikes me more and actually amazes me is the fact that this is a story, a trope, that is repeated in most of the presentation of Agnes Pockels.—
Mariel Carr,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Eva’s romance with her husband, Franklin Plaskett, delights and amazes her.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The sophomore star attacks every corner of the strike zone, fearlessly challenging batters in spots most pitchers avoid, while processing angles and situations in real time.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
-
Your Immune System May Become Balanced Vitamin D and zinc may also tamp down hyperactive immune responses that occur in autoimmune diseases (conditions in which the body attacks itself).—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Edwards’ explosiveness produces randomized jolts of spectacular.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
That week, nobody talked about anything but the lead-up to the big challenge in which Bukele and La Choly would see who could withstand the jolts of that bumpy musical fairground ride, which tries to shake off its passengers.—
Óscar Martínez,
The Dial,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Frankie Grande stuns in a velvet and diamond-studded emsemble for the premiere of Broadway's Titanique on April 12.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Trump's attack stuns the world.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here are the biggest revelations from Panettiere’s harrowing tell-all.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
And over the next few hours, the revelations unfolded with sad familiarity.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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