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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surprising
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
That’s not surprising, as most big corporations are in bed with AI in one form or another.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
26 June 2026
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
The Bears ran the third-most plays last season with multiple tight ends on the field with 501 after surprising some experts by drafting Colston Loveland 10th overall last year to team with Cole Kmet.
—
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
Seth Rollins hit a Pedigree and a Stomp for a surprising nearfall.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
That’s not surprising, as most big corporations are in bed with AI in one form or another.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
26 June 2026
Verb
The pair’s secret romance was already woven into Season 1, surprising those who’ve read the source material since Allie and Dean are the focus of the third book in the series.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
The Bears ran the third-most plays last season with multiple tight ends on the field with 501 after surprising some experts by drafting Colston Loveland 10th overall last year to team with Cole Kmet.
—
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
The visitor—who understands English but can’t speak—gradually learns to fit in while deploying his few but startling paranormal abilities.
-
In a 2010 study, scientists cooked meatloaf and found that startling quantities of silicone migrated into the food.
Adjective
-
The adjacent riverfront area has seen astonishing growth and improvements, with a two-mile-long stretch of pedestrian paths, parks and other green space, and an event pavilion.
-
According to a comprehensive reporting analysis published by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, an astonishing 79% of public companies actually increased their page counts after the rule went into effect, and 64% increased the total number of individual risk factors disclosed.
Verb
-
In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.
Verb
-
Prosecutors, meanwhile, have alleged that Mangione meticulously planned the killing for months, documenting his thoughts in journals and traveling across the country before ambushing Thompson in New York City.
-
Lit up by minor-leaguers ambushing first-pitch fastballs?
Adjective
-
The 29-year-old began her comeback Saturday at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, just days after announcing her shocking return to the sport.
-
Cape Verde earned three draws in the group stage – the shocking Spain result, running with Uruguay in the second match and ending up in a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday.
Adjective
-
So many wonderful dinners with friends and nights out on the town.
-
Soccer – football in much of the world – has a long and wonderful tradition of singing, whether that be in praise of their favorite players, mocking opponents (sometimes, brutally so) or simply urging their team forward.
Verb
-
Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
Verb
-
He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
-
Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
