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
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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
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Detroit rapper Kash Doll pulled out all the stops for her boyfriend, NFL star Za’Darius Smith’s 33rd birthday, surprising him with a custom ride that has fans talking.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 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
After tense standoffs with Mallory (Crystle Stewart) and Horace's ex-wife, Olivia (Debbi Morgan), Kimmie enters the meeting and promptly takes it over, surprising the family with her mind for numbers.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Detroit rapper Kash Doll pulled out all the stops for her boyfriend, NFL star Za’Darius Smith’s 33rd birthday, surprising him with a custom ride that has fans talking.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 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
-
Every few minutes the jungle deposited us onto an astonishing beach.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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The astonishing result, achieved by the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) collaboration, represents the first-ever observation of single top quark production with W and Z bosons, a process known as tWZ production.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
-
After ambushing Fuller at her mansion, Teddy and his accomplice/cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) knock her unconscious with a tranquilizer and load her into the backseat of her own car.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What an amazing group of women to journey through this mom-hood together!—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Fresh talks can spark amazing progress.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That scene was so incredibly awkward… and wonderful.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Technology glitches, shocking headlines and erratic behavior aren’t unusual under this type of transit, so keep your eyes peeled.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Is there a way for the film to hold an audience member through the violence instead of shocking them with it, and to meet them on the other side with an open heart?—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann, Germany has rediscovered its attacking rhythm and pressing intensity, signaling a potential return to the elite.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement has angered many Americans by wearing masks while on duty, attacking peaceful protesters and arresting mostly people with no criminal record.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Republican finger-pointing has begun in the wake of Democrats’ stunning success in Tuesday night’s elections.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Last summer, following Mamdani’s stunning primary victory, many friends and colleagues were anxious that this Democratic candidate was too liberal, too anti-business, too inexperienced for the global stage, and simply too young.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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