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
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
In her debut cookbook, Nguyen blends Vietnamese roots with her New Orleans upbringing, creating deeply flavorful recipes that are both comforting and surprising.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025
This was a surprising finding that revealed that a sense of belonging — something HR traditionally considered unmeasurable — was actually one of the strongest precursors of retention.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 30 June 2025
However, digging deeper reveals a surprising insight.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
What’s surprising, and altogether honest on the filmmaker’s part, is how much Ester wants to be seduced.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
In her debut cookbook, Nguyen blends Vietnamese roots with her New Orleans upbringing, creating deeply flavorful recipes that are both comforting and surprising.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025
This was a surprising finding that revealed that a sense of belonging — something HR traditionally considered unmeasurable — was actually one of the strongest precursors of retention.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 30 June 2025
However, digging deeper reveals a surprising insight.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
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This was a startling rebuke to those who have argued for years that Syria should avert another dictatorship by conferring greater power on local authorities.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2025
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The startling discovery was made Wednesday, July 16, at House of Refuge beach, about a 105-mile drive north from Miami.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her astonishing haul has left some speculating that Ocasio-Cortez may be eyeing higher office, whether a seat in the Senate or a White House run in 2028.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
19 July 2025
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Millennial spending rose 10%, while Gen Z cardholders grew their spend at a somewhat astonishing 40% (albeit from a smaller base).—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
But to say Destiny’s Child gave me the green light is amazing.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
14 July 2025
-
The shoes have amazing cushioning that provides serious support, which was ideal for long walks in Athens.—
Alexis Benveniste,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
This no-churn ice cream recipe extracts all the wonderful flavor from the corn by simmering both the kernels and cobs in whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk to make sure every bite is filled with corn flavor.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
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So many wonderful age gap and power dynamics going on in this novel that really set the tone for a whole generation of writers to come.—
Hattie Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In a stunning video obtained by the Daily News, two men are seen grabbing and kicking a third male around 12:59 p.m. near Commonwealth and Westchester Aves.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
-
But nowhere is quite as stunning as Sea Watch on the Ocean.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The fact that any programming – sports or not – can cut through that clutter and reach 10 million or more households is frankly miraculous at this point.—
John Cassillo,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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And then there’s The Big Piece, a feat of recovery that feels miraculous for entirely different reasons.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
It’s been an incredible year for gaming in just the first six months, with the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (93), Blue Prince (92), Split Fiction (91) and Death Stranding 2 (89).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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This is an incredible honor, and an awesome responsibility.—
Sharon DeVivo,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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