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

One of the surprises aboard Beyond was the enviable art sprinkled throughout every nook and cranny. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

Cosplay isn’t only for the fans; superstars went incognito to create some of the convention’s best surprises. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 July 2026

One of those surprises this year is the abundance of female performers headlining the four-day festival, coming Thursday to Sunday in Grant Park. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

The teaser itself doesn’t deliver any real surprises to anyone familiar with the story, but that’s just one minute of footage. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2026

At 53-52, the Nationals are one of the biggest surprises in MLB and are still in the thick of the wild-card race. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Windjammer Landing in Saint Lucia offers nightly surprises including warm milk and cookies, a teddy bear, and a bedtime story. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Our secondhand books are donation-only and are a kaleidoscopic bag of surprises. — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

That often led to happy surprises, like learning that using a ping near a dark circle would open up new paths forward. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 25 July 2026

Verb

What surprises me, actually, is – not surprises me, but what gratifies me is that Iranian attacks have been – not been larger or more capable. — CBS News, 12 July 2026

The Park Hyatt Chicago, which opened in 1980 as the first-ever Park Hyatt hotel, immediately surprises with its boutique vibe. — Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

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

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