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
Jahd Khalil, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Laden with symbolism both in its lyrics and accompanying video, the piece — structured in operatic movements —surprises with Rosalía’s lyrical performance, gliding seamlessly between English, German, and her native Spanish.
—Luisa Calle, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Give the gift of 12 days of chile crisp and chile crisp-adjacent surprises with this advent calendar from one of our favorite spicy condiment brands.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
But O'Neal also says not everyone understands his motivation in being so generous, and those expecting a favor likely won't be on the receiving end of one of his surprises.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
That being said, the Phillies might have little choice but to throw in some surprises next season.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
One of the surprises of making the doc came with how people reacted to the former prime minster’s now-husband, Gayford.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Reunion revelations included relationship updates, new babies, and other surprises.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The Indianapolis Colts remain one of the biggest surprises of the season and have won three straight to improve their record to a league-best 6-1.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Kendall Jenner surprises students from UT Austin with 818 Tequila and Uber Eats tailgate supplies ahead of Tailgate with 818 in Dallas.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
You’re pitched an offer that surprises you as Venus and Jupiter harmonize.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Japanese Walking Focuses on Effort, Not Step Count What surprises me most is how differently IWT frames the idea of progress.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Red Rock has been a huge part of my life, but Nevada still surprises me with how much there is to see and do.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Nothing surprises me anymore in football.
—Sam Joseph, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Respecting the medium often surprises me with the most rewarding outcomes.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
The other thing that still surprises me is how many people are still willing to apply to come do it.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Several late-breaking surprises have shaken up what political watchers thought would be a quiet race in Virginia.
—Jahd Khalil, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Laden with symbolism both in its lyrics and accompanying video, the piece — structured in operatic movements —surprises with Rosalía’s lyrical performance, gliding seamlessly between English, German, and her native Spanish.
—Luisa Calle, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Give the gift of 12 days of chile crisp and chile crisp-adjacent surprises with this advent calendar from one of our favorite spicy condiment brands.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
But O'Neal also says not everyone understands his motivation in being so generous, and those expecting a favor likely won't be on the receiving end of one of his surprises.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
That being said, the Phillies might have little choice but to throw in some surprises next season.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
One of the surprises of making the doc came with how people reacted to the former prime minster’s now-husband, Gayford.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Reunion revelations included relationship updates, new babies, and other surprises.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The Indianapolis Colts remain one of the biggest surprises of the season and have won three straight to improve their record to a league-best 6-1.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
But every now and then a recipe surprises us.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Kendall Jenner surprises students from UT Austin with 818 Tequila and Uber Eats tailgate supplies ahead of Tailgate with 818 in Dallas.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
You’re pitched an offer that surprises you as Venus and Jupiter harmonize.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Japanese Walking Focuses on Effort, Not Step Count What surprises me most is how differently IWT frames the idea of progress.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Red Rock has been a huge part of my life, but Nevada still surprises me with how much there is to see and do.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Nothing surprises me anymore in football.
—Sam Joseph, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Respecting the medium often surprises me with the most rewarding outcomes.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
The other thing that still surprises me is how many people are still willing to apply to come do it.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Kika is no victim, but a woman perpetually absorbing shocks, assessing those shocks, and recalibrating heroically.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Both leaders signaled interest in reducing tensions to avoid further shocks to the global economy.—
Landon Mion , Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 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 her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Personality-wise, Luca amazes me.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But there are many other threats out there, like the evil wizard Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) who attacks Yennefer’s forces in the climactic Battle of Montecalvo.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Some people worry that flu shots increase the risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious but rare disorder in which the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.—
Liz Szabo,
NBC news,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
From fall fragrances like apple cider and more neutral scents like green tea to jolts of refreshing grapefruit, a single scented candle can really set the mood in any space.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The Conjuring 2 is filled with sudden jolts, dog bells signaling danger, self-moving fire engine toys, and the infamous Crooked Man — all shot with cinematic tricks borrowed from '70s-era filmmaking.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Once inside, the home stuns with an abundance of natural light streaming from the many windows wrapping the main level.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Expect conversations that catch you off-guard, and jokes that turn into shocking revelations.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Recent revelations about past text messages sent by Jones have seemingly shifted public opinion and put the race’s outcome in question, signaling larger concerns of accountability and conduct among political leaders.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 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 7 Nov. 2025.
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