Synonyms of surprising

surprising 1 of 2

adjective

sər-ˈprī-ziŋ 

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

• startling
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing
• wonderful
• unexpected
• incredible
• astounding
• breathtaking
• awesome
• stupefying
• jolting
• jarring
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• jaw-dropping
• miraculous
• unusual
• eye-opening
• extraordinary
• staggering
• remarkable
• spectacular
• awful
• blindsiding
• impressive
• uncommon
• perplexing
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• unlikely
• wondrous
• dismaying
• confusing
• disconcerting
• stupendous
• upsetting
• confounding
• marvelous
• unbelievable
• inconceivable
• sublime
• noticeable
• rare
• sensational
• unthinkable
• phenomenal
• notable
• unimaginable
• prodigious
• incomprehensible
• striking
• bewildering
• outstanding
• portentous
• discomfiting
• befuddling
• unannounced
• conspicuous
• fabulous
• unwonted
• unique
• heart-stopping
• nonplussing
• flustering
• muddling
• singular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsurprising
• common
• typical
• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• customary
• mundane
• unremarkable
• unexceptional

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

• astonishing
• wonderful
• amazing
• miraculous
• incredible
• stunning
• marvelous
• sublime
• staggering
• extraordinary
• impressive
• awesome
• remarkable
• wondrous
• astounding
• stupendous
• interesting
• spectacular
• unusual
• prodigious
• fabulous
• fascinating
• portentous
• awful
• eye-opening
• exciting
• unbelievable
• inconceivable
• uncommon
• unique
• striking
• unthinkable
• unimaginable
• rare
• incomprehensible
• noticeable
• outstanding
• notable
• enchanting
• attractive
• phenomenal
• charming
• attracting
• conspicuous
• sensational
• enlightening
• unwonted
• entertaining
• alluring
• mind-blowing
• singular
• mind-boggling
• mind-bending
• beguiling
• smashing
• enthralling
• invigorating
• stimulating
• captivating
• energizing
• enlivening
• bewitching
• galvanizing
• animating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unremarkable
• unimpressive
• tedious
• uninteresting
• boring
• typical
• uninspiring
• common
• usual
• ordinary
• monotonous
• normal
• dull
• customary
• tiring
• weary
• wearisome
• mundane
• uninspired
• wearying
• unexceptional
• exhausting
• draining
• fatiguing
• discouraging
• debilitating
• disheartening
• wearing
• jading
• dispiriting
• demoralizing
• enervating
• enfeebling

surprising

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizing

present participle of surprise

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

• amazing
• shocking
• startling
• stunning
• astonishing
• astounding
• rocking
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• stupefying
• bewildering
• perplexing
• taking by surprise
• disconcerting
• confusing
• bowling over
• thunderstriking
• befuddling
• dismaying
• jarring
• taking aback
• discomfiting
• nonplussing
• blindsiding
• flooring
• blowing away
• confounding
• shaking up
• muddling
• dazing
• knocking for a loop

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

• ambushing
• attacking
• capturing
• waylaying
• assaulting
• striking
• ambuscading
• hunting
• tackling
• assailing
• trapping
• jumping
• storming
• pouncing (on)
• mugging
• stalking
• snaring
• ensnaring
• preying (on or upon)
• sallying
• entrapping
• charging
• netting
• mousetrapping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of surprising

Adjective

Their big three is as good as any in the league, and a deep postseason run wouldn’t be totally surprising. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026

The soft white panicles of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) offer a surprising color twist through fall. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026

Verb

Turns out, her body keeps surprising her. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 June 2026

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