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 traps
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
Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
CarShield has received positive comments for its breadth of coverage and quick response times, although some policyholders have complained about claim denials, fine-print surprises and confusing sales practices.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
For an intense fandom that received first news of a somewhat unexpected new album so close to the end of a behemoth concert tour followed by the singer’s engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, conjuring surprises might become increasingly hard to do.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
No surprises here, but the way the carefree peeping-tom comedy morphs into a miniature creature feature is crudely satisfying.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Her space is funky, colorful, and full of surprises.
—Sid Evans, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
There were surprises, both good and bad.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Mornings taste better with a fresh fruit smoothie and sunrise on your deck, and the always smiling and hospitable resort staff keeps the surprises coming—maybe a floating breakfast one day or champagne at dusk the next.
—AFAR Media, 27 Sep. 2025
There weren’t any other big surprises in McCartney’s set at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
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
Raised by two loving moms and two devoted dads, her family dynamic often surprises people.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
What surprises me, always, is how ready and willing people are to embrace it.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
This surprises your audience and forces them to listen.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The potential intruder surprises her in the water.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Stephanie surprises son Jack on his second day at school.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
One of the surprises came from the 33% of people who are experiencing alcohol use disorder.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
CarShield has received positive comments for its breadth of coverage and quick response times, although some policyholders have complained about claim denials, fine-print surprises and confusing sales practices.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
For an intense fandom that received first news of a somewhat unexpected new album so close to the end of a behemoth concert tour followed by the singer’s engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, conjuring surprises might become increasingly hard to do.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
No surprises here, but the way the carefree peeping-tom comedy morphs into a miniature creature feature is crudely satisfying.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Her space is funky, colorful, and full of surprises.
—Sid Evans, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
There were surprises, both good and bad.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Mornings taste better with a fresh fruit smoothie and sunrise on your deck, and the always smiling and hospitable resort staff keeps the surprises coming—maybe a floating breakfast one day or champagne at dusk the next.
—AFAR Media, 27 Sep. 2025
There weren’t any other big surprises in McCartney’s set at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Raised by two loving moms and two devoted dads, her family dynamic often surprises people.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
What surprises me, always, is how ready and willing people are to embrace it.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
This surprises your audience and forces them to listen.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The potential intruder surprises her in the water.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Stephanie surprises son Jack on his second day at school.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
When payments depend on a handful of correspondent relationships, shocks in one jurisdiction can ripple worldwide—whether from sanctions, de-risking decisions, cybersecurity incidents, or compliance backlogs.—
Chris Maurice,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
-
During times of stress, sudden retail redemptions could force asset sales at discounts, triggering liquidity crunches and pricing shocks in what have generally been stable markets.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Under an imperial decree, her captors become unlikely allies, guiding Jewish refugees through ambushes, shifting alliances and treacherous waters, while Sara confronts leadership, loyalty and love at a high cost.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Two months later, the group launched more than two dozen attacks across northeastern Syria, relying on a combination of guerrilla tactics, including small arms fire, ambushes, assassinations, and improvised explosive devices targeting military checkpoints and government vehicles.—
Caroline Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Remus, who is now 5, amazes his family by reading books on his own, a development which Whittenburg attributes in part to the Imagination Library.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The revelations came out years after their presidencies ended.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The investigation began after revelations, first reported by the Herald/Times, that the DeSantis administration directed $10 million from a legal settlement with the Medicaid contractor Centene through the foundation for political purposes.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Continue reading … 'BEEN THROUGH THIS' – Michael Cohen stuns MSNBC panel with statement about James Comey indictment.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Chamarel, Mauritius Spilling across the volcanic hills of southwest Mauritius, Chamarel stuns with its terrain—Seven Coloured Earth ripples in bands of violet, ochre, and rust, shifting under the tropical sun like a living canvas.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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