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
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Paige is little more than a dumb blonde stereotype, another underwritten female character in Sheridan’s growing oeuvre, but Chapman laces her babyish whining with surprising bite, while showing a knack for physical comedy.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026
The thing is, the album is already surprising us.
—Leonor C. Suárez, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
New York’s green spaces, park corridors and fragmented habitats support a surprising diversity of species, and red foxes have carved out niches in these urban and suburban landscapes.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Paige is little more than a dumb blonde stereotype, another underwritten female character in Sheridan’s growing oeuvre, but Chapman laces her babyish whining with surprising bite, while showing a knack for physical comedy.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Interest from collectors nationwide surged after Bramer Auction & Realty shared photos online, driving bidding from $1,000 to a final sale price of $32,000, surprising its 91-year-old owner on her birthday.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026
The thing is, the album is already surprising us.
—Leonor C. Suárez, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
Drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional death for kids ages 5-14, with a startling 28% rise in fatalities in 2022 compared to 2019, according to the CDC.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
About 30 minutes into the flight, passengers said flight attendants began running up and down the aisle appearing agitated before making a startling announcement.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Kate Hawley won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her astonishing fantasy-period costumes, while Cliona Furey was part of the team that won the prize for Best Makeup & Hairstyling.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Mar. 2026
-
McAdams remembered both Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton; Streisand gave an astonishing eulogy to her co-star and friend Robert Redford.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rajabi was therefore reduced to meeting Khamenei by ambushing him after evening prayers in his compound.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The man accused of ambushing West Virginia National Guard members near the White House in November, killing one and severely wounding another, is set to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.—
Steve Beynon,
ABC News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Given how well Queta has played this season, that at-the-rim scoring binge was impressive, but not shocking.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Pasquantino piloted his team to the biggest win in Italian baseball history inside the same ballpark with their shocking 8-6 victory over Team USA on Tuesday.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Coast Guard is a huge piece of this puzzle, and to be able to see the Coast Guard come to realization is wonderful.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Something wonderful could drop into your lap in mid-June.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The American always had the engine and work rate to flit between defensive and attacking duties in a central midfield berth.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Iran's state television said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would be attacking oil and gas infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after an attack on facilities associated with its offshore South Pars natural gas field.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All the better to see the stunning red lips that perfectly match her dress.—
Ana Serrano,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Her expressive brush strokes and attention to personal detail create works that are both visually stunning and deeply meaningful.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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