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
Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
This is not surprising considering that free speech has long been associated with the metaphor of free trade in ideas, closely tied to the value of a deregulated market economy.
—Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
At the end of Season 3, Belinda finds herself in a surprising position of power after Greg offers her $100,000 to keep quiet about his identity.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
How to pet a dragon — and cast a spell
Beyond rides, Epic Universe provides a surprising amount of interactive elements and experiences that were first teased in the existing Harry Potter lands in their two previous Florida parks.
—Adrian Ruhi, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
There are surprising developments about who gets read into the truth and when.
—Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
This is not surprising considering that free speech has long been associated with the metaphor of free trade in ideas, closely tied to the value of a deregulated market economy.
—Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
At the end of Season 3, Belinda finds herself in a surprising position of power after Greg offers her $100,000 to keep quiet about his identity.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
How to pet a dragon — and cast a spell
Beyond rides, Epic Universe provides a surprising amount of interactive elements and experiences that were first teased in the existing Harry Potter lands in their two previous Florida parks.
—Adrian Ruhi, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
In that time span, the liberals made a startling 20-plus-point comeback in the polls, overtaking the conservatives as election day neared.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
It’s been a short, hectic campaign season, marked by startling reversals — most notably a massive decline in support for the current opposition Conservative Party — and ignited by the resignation of longtime Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.—
Sean Collins,
Vox,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Tom Hanks narrates this examination of the astonishing variety of life on a supercontinent stretching from northern Canada to the bottom of South America.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2025
-
This is the astonishing dialectical power of the moment.—
D. Graham Burnett,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What an amazing display of Mother Nature at her finest.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
This soulful part of Phuket is dotted with colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, hidden temples, a vibrant art scene, and plenty of amazing restaurants and bars.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Katy Perry reportedly sang ‘Its a wonderful world,’ Gayle King beamed in zero gravity, as Lauren Sánchez—pilot, philanthropist, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, led Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to the edge of space.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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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Once she’s done blending, her full glam results are stunning yet intriguing, with a playful feminine hue.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Beautiful and stunning but very subtle at the same time.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
All of this is made possible through the elegant, limitlessly expressive writing system that is musical notation, which is as miraculous as the alphabet itself, and can be used for purposes every bit as varied.—
Matthew Aucoin,
The Atlantic,
15 Apr. 2025
-
From $280 Book now This transformation of the historic and stately National Bank into the Riggs hotel is nearly miraculous.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
AFAR Media,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s not too surprising, as collections packed with greatest hits tend to have incredible staying power, especially in the streaming age.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Throwing data into a box and shaking it has yielded incredible results in processing human language, but that won’t be enough to treat disease.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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