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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surprises
Nancy K. Schlossberg,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Save Room For Oceanside Oceanside keeps the surprises coming.
—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
The word on the street is each stop welcomes more familiar faces from Housewives history to join the celebration, revisit defining moments, and stir up surprises that will have everyone shaking, physically shaking.
—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2026
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 June 2026
Over the past few years, large language models have brought surprises, and some of them are concerning.
—
Robert Wright,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Many experts believed any possible chaos or surprises in the draft would start at the fifth pick or later, because Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson were widely considered to be the top four prospects.
—
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Most reputable surgeons will provide an all-in quote after a consultation so there are no surprises.
—
Victoria Oliva,
Allure,
23 June 2026
The regulatory filing, certified on May 26, 2026, confirms several of Tesla’s design goals while revealing a few mechanical surprises regarding the robotaxi’s drivetrain and overall mass.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Matt Minton,
Variety,
16 June 2026
What the program asks of you in return The 200 hours of sweat equity is the part of the program that surprises some applicants.
—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
That finding surprises many people because modern entrepreneurship education often treats venture capital as the default path to growth.
—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
If a neighbor surprises you, name a need and set timing that respects your energy.
—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
That sense of timelessness has helped Cherry Valley resonate with listeners since its release, a facet that Faith admits still surprises her.
—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
What surprises me now is how hopeful the movie feels.
—
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
This requirement often surprises applicants who have spent significant time outside the workforce or who worked primarily in jobs that did not pay into Social Security.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
If those dominoes start to fall in a way that surprises Wall Street, reactions will be much more adverse.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Noun
There are contradictions, fears and surprises—both positive, like becoming a great grandparent and negative, like dealing with divorce.
—
Nancy K. Schlossberg,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Save Room For Oceanside Oceanside keeps the surprises coming.
—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
The word on the street is each stop welcomes more familiar faces from Housewives history to join the celebration, revisit defining moments, and stir up surprises that will have everyone shaking, physically shaking.
—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2026
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 June 2026
Over the past few years, large language models have brought surprises, and some of them are concerning.
—
Robert Wright,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Many experts believed any possible chaos or surprises in the draft would start at the fifth pick or later, because Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson were widely considered to be the top four prospects.
—
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Most reputable surgeons will provide an all-in quote after a consultation so there are no surprises.
—
Victoria Oliva,
Allure,
23 June 2026
The regulatory filing, certified on May 26, 2026, confirms several of Tesla’s design goals while revealing a few mechanical surprises regarding the robotaxi’s drivetrain and overall mass.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Verb
His plans take a turn when Minnie surprises him and the gang with tickets to spend Christmas at a world-famous Ice Palace.
—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
16 June 2026
What the program asks of you in return The 200 hours of sweat equity is the part of the program that surprises some applicants.
—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
That finding surprises many people because modern entrepreneurship education often treats venture capital as the default path to growth.
—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
If a neighbor surprises you, name a need and set timing that respects your energy.
—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
That sense of timelessness has helped Cherry Valley resonate with listeners since its release, a facet that Faith admits still surprises her.
—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
What surprises me now is how hopeful the movie feels.
—
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
This requirement often surprises applicants who have spent significant time outside the workforce or who worked primarily in jobs that did not pay into Social Security.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
If those dominoes start to fall in a way that surprises Wall Street, reactions will be much more adverse.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
There have also been shocks provided by debutants Cape Verde and Curacao, despite fears the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 would dilute the quality.
-
Recent energy shocks have made these dynamics more visible.
Noun
-
The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.
Noun
-
Cuba also maintains elite forces trained for counter-special-operations missions, guerrilla warfare, ambushes, sabotage and close protection of senior leaders.
-
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.
Verb
-
More than 30 years later, what amazes me isn’t just what that team accomplished on the field.
-
This technology still amazes me.
Verb
-
Chevalier, who’s running with the vocal support of Mayor Mamdani, attacks Espaillat as being too moderate and a supporter of Israel.
-
But what if Iran’s proxy Hezbollah attacks Israel?
Noun
-
The building jolts and is cloaked in blackness.
-
Edwards’ explosiveness produces randomized jolts of spectacular.
Noun
-
Golden State sent more traps than usual and didn’t allow the former Notre Dame standout to get clean looks at the rim or from the 3-point line.
-
That changed rapidly as Argentina flew out of the traps and picked apart their jaded opponents, going 2-0 up after 36 minutes, with the first goal a Messi penalty.
Verb
-
Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there.
-
Torch Lake in Michigan stuns with its clear turquoise water, glacial origins, and iconic summer sandbar scene.
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
