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
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
As with every year, there are plenty of surprises and just as many snubs among the nominees.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
This approach is meant to reduce crowding and prevent day-of travel surprises.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Stocks came under pressure this week as the CEOs of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley voiced concerns about elevated valuations, while Wall Street’s bar for positive surprises on earnings results continues to rise after a monster rally in stocks in recent months.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The National Charity League, Del Norte Chapter Ticktocker Class of 2030, created very festive Halloween boxes that were filled with many Halloween treats and surprises.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The landslide Republican loss in New Jersey was one of the biggest surprises of Tuesday night, as Republican strategists had viewed the race as the more promising gubernatorial race compared to Virginia.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, 82% have reported positive earnings-per-share surprises, which is lower than the 83% from the week prior.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
The 2026 Grammy Award nominations have plenty of surprises, none quite as strange as Joe Keery’s.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
During the celebration, Dale Bradley (James Jordan) surprises him with a Rolex Daytona Panda, a gift valued at roughly $30,000.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
Let’s see what surprises pop-outs are in line.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Its colonial charm is ideal for culture lovers and slow travelers—but Barichara also surprises the adventurous.
—Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
Georgia Georgia combines history, alpine nature and a gastronomy that surprises anyone.
—Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
At the end of their tour, Scott surprises Aesha.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
The dinner occasion is Allura’s fifth wedding anniversary to considerably younger football superstar Chase Munroe (Matthew Noszka), who surprises her with a whopping great rock that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The thing that surprises me every night is how heavy the dress is.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Megan Boyle, director of marketing for the Avalanche, also said there will be other surprises in store as well.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
As with every year, there are plenty of surprises and just as many snubs among the nominees.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
This approach is meant to reduce crowding and prevent day-of travel surprises.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Stocks came under pressure this week as the CEOs of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley voiced concerns about elevated valuations, while Wall Street’s bar for positive surprises on earnings results continues to rise after a monster rally in stocks in recent months.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The National Charity League, Del Norte Chapter Ticktocker Class of 2030, created very festive Halloween boxes that were filled with many Halloween treats and surprises.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The landslide Republican loss in New Jersey was one of the biggest surprises of Tuesday night, as Republican strategists had viewed the race as the more promising gubernatorial race compared to Virginia.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, 82% have reported positive earnings-per-share surprises, which is lower than the 83% from the week prior.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
The 2026 Grammy Award nominations have plenty of surprises, none quite as strange as Joe Keery’s.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Equipment is available at no cost, a benefit that Sandoval said often surprises visitors.
—Sierra Knoch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
During the celebration, Dale Bradley (James Jordan) surprises him with a Rolex Daytona Panda, a gift valued at roughly $30,000.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
Let’s see what surprises pop-outs are in line.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Its colonial charm is ideal for culture lovers and slow travelers—but Barichara also surprises the adventurous.
—Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
Georgia Georgia combines history, alpine nature and a gastronomy that surprises anyone.
—Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
At the end of their tour, Scott surprises Aesha.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
The dinner occasion is Allura’s fifth wedding anniversary to considerably younger football superstar Chase Munroe (Matthew Noszka), who surprises her with a whopping great rock that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The thing that surprises me every night is how heavy the dress is.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
For someone used to orchestrating cinematic shocks behind the scenes, Moore suddenly found himself on the receiving end of one, and fans were left stunned as the season’s power balance shifted.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The geological setting means that moderate and strong earthquakes are frequent, and the region is among the world’s most active, as highlighted by decades of seismic history and recent similar shocks in the region.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In basic multiplayer fashion, there are bottlenecked spaces for ambushes, and everything loops together just fine for flanking.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Aside from games like volleyball and dominoes, Gach says some children stage fake ambushes on one another while pretending to be government forces or rebel fighters.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Berkley’s dies by suicide by jumping off a balcony outside their office window; Simpson’s goes crazy and attacks her ex with sulfuric acid.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
For this new study in particular, the researchers focused on the 5FU, which often both fails to reach cancer cells efficiently and attacks healthy tissue—causing side effects like nausea, fatigue and, in rare cases, even heart failure.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.—
Katie Lauer,
Mercury News,
22 Dec. 2025
-
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … RETIREMENT PLEA – Chiefs coach's blunt message to Josh Allen after Bills victory stuns NFL fans.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Among them, Colleen Allen’s debut velvet maxi stuns in its simplicity, and Dries Van Noten’s bohemian take, fresh off the FW25 runway, makes a convincing case for maximalism.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In an email to staff on Friday (full text below), Deborah Turness provided something of a pep talk for journalists after a string of bruising revelations about BBC News’ output.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
There will be a full moon in your sign, bringing personal revelations that could clash with your desire to keep the peace.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Another possible explanation for the name is that this was also the season when people set beaver traps during the fur trade.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In addition to raking the traps, the greenskeeper at the country club also hired McConaughey to hunt the armadillos that were wreaking havoc on the greens of the golf course.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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