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
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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
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
The Shrivers’ lasting influence still surprises their children.
—Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Nothing surprises you at Forest, but the Pereira situation feels relatively settled at present.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
This surprises many people, especially since the rules for the front seat are so strict and apply to everyone, regardless of age.
—Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The first is that Agnes is in love with him, which surprises him despite the numerous occasions he’s gone out of his way to attract her attention.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
But Ran, another dark horse favorite and Kurosawa’s least straightforward Shakespeare adaptation, beat Carol, which surprises me.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Your Skin Benefits Too This one surprises people, but the research backs it up.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 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
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
The Shrivers’ lasting influence still surprises their children.
—Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Nothing surprises you at Forest, but the Pereira situation feels relatively settled at present.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
This surprises many people, especially since the rules for the front seat are so strict and apply to everyone, regardless of age.
—Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The first is that Agnes is in love with him, which surprises him despite the numerous occasions he’s gone out of his way to attract her attention.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
But Ran, another dark horse favorite and Kurosawa’s least straightforward Shakespeare adaptation, beat Carol, which surprises me.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Your Skin Benefits Too This one surprises people, but the research backs it up.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Analysts warned that reliance on a narrow group of exporters could amplify volatility and leave markets vulnerable to shocks ranging from geopolitical tensions to a slowdown in data-center spending.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
The standoff prompted one of the largest oil shocks ever recorded.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
12 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
-
Hantavirus is a rare but deadly disease that attacks the lungs and is typically contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a wild rodent.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Sebastian Gorka, the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said an immediate example would be for other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran attacks commercial shipping.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The jolts are muted, the setpieces are drab, and the gore is all too literally kept under wraps.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
16 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
-
The new Scorecard, released Wednesday and in its fourth year, offers several revelations for families, educators and policymakers looking for clarity — and hope — at a time when public education has been blamed and battered for those persistent declines in student performance.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
13 May 2026
-
The revelations led to calls for a criminal investigation into Sloth World’s owners, prompting confirmation by Attorney General James Uthmeier on May 1 that one was underway.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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