1
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the surprising news that they were going to have a baby had them rushing to buy nursery furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in astonishing
causing wonder or astonishment
it's surprising how much knowledge of physics the architects of those immense medieval cathedrals must have had
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also surprizing
1
as in amazing
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 ambushing
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
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Recent Examples of surprising
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
Earlier reports had indicated Urban had already moved on, so this is a surprising development.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Jan. 2026
Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
The characters kept surprising me.
—Lindsay Lohan, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
And speaking of monologues, Carrie Coon’s surprising final sentiment has to be one of the finale’s pinnacles.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
Earlier reports had indicated Urban had already moved on, so this is a surprising development.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Police are looking into how a man ended up inside the trunk of a driverless Waymo in the Westlake District, surprising a mom and daughter.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
The characters kept surprising me.
—Lindsay Lohan, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
The startling moment quickly grabbed attention online, with the video racking up more than 9 million views.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The urgency of their missing is underscored by startling numbers uncovered in our CBS Data Team investigation, which found that in 2025 domestic violence accounted for 26% of all violent crimes in Chicago.—
Marissa Perlman,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Symbols and metaphors are the most astonishing of these scars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Her film is an honorable attempt to dramatize the everyday agonies and frustrations of Red Crescent workers, to honor their quick thinking and astonishing courage under duress.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Among the Builsa people, songs are still sung about retreating from slave raiders into rocky and cavernous areas, and then ambushing them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Over the past two months, JNIM has stepped up attacks on fuel supplies, ambushing tankers on the roads from Ivory Coast and Senegal.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The mom of three went on to say that being a working mom has been one of the most amazing and hardest chapters of her life.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
People move here for the beauty of the landscape and stay for how amazing the community is.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This has been a wonderful season.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Keep reading to discover all of the wonderful possibilities this tiny home unlocks, for just $9,800.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The hunt for a murder suspect uncovers a crime with shocking legal and ethical implications; Bruno must protect his squad during a raid on a suspect's home; Carisi and Price team up in court when Brady's interrogation tactics undermine the case.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Jan. 2026
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The short-term impact was shocking with the loss of foliage but today, about 15 years later, the border looks beautiful and screens the neighbor’s house and yard while providing a reliable habitat for birds.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The demonstrations intensified after a federal officer shot a Venezuelan man accused of fleeing a traffic stop and attacking an agent, federal officials said.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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After officers reached the person, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment and all three started attacking the officer, according to DHS.—
Steve Karnowski,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Costa Blanca is stunning from dry land, but exploring by water offers an opportunity to see the coastline from a new perspective.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Read on for more on-sale Kate Spade purses worth checking out, including a chic suede laptop bag, a leather commuter tote, and a stunning blue oversized shoulder bag.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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