variants
also surprize
1
as in shock
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected
the anniversary party was such a complete surprise that the couple was speechless for a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in amazement
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprize
1
as in to amaze
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 to ambush
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 surprise
Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Kyiv officials said a surprise drone attack Sunday damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia, including the remote Arctic, Siberian and Far East regions more than 4,300 miles from Ukraine.
—Mehmet Guzel, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Sam Worley, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Chase’s decision to devote herself to the flute and to championing vital new composers and performers did not surprise her parents, both of whom are veteran professional musicians.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
In the process, there might a surprise or two in the form of something that had been long forgotten about, but evoked a memory or two.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Kyiv officials said a surprise drone attack Sunday damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia, including the remote Arctic, Siberian and Far East regions more than 4,300 miles from Ukraine.
—Mehmet Guzel, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
But life, we’re reminded, retains its ability to surprise.
—Sam Worley, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Chase’s decision to devote herself to the flute and to championing vital new composers and performers did not surprise her parents, both of whom are veteran professional musicians.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
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Investors have learned to position themselves for both the initial shock of aggressive announcements and the subsequent backpedaling that typically follows.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Narrating what happened with the boy in the autopsy room turned out to be wholly different from experiencing it; the riptide shock of that moment slowed to a largo of painful excavation.—
Danielle Ofri,
New Yorker,
7 June 2025
Noun
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As everyone, including Pagán and his teammates, watches the 26-year-old in amazement, the only person who doesn’t seem surprised is Benson himself.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter for the 2025 Met Gala, the Sinners director and his wife and co-producer on the project discussed their amazement over the box office success of the vampire thriller.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Three police officers shot in what appears to be a surprise ambush at the scene of a grisly murder.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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More: Trump confronts South African leader with false claims of genocide in Oval Office ambush Mandela later tapped him to lead negotiations for the country's new democratic framework in 1991.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Verb
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In The 2025 Playoffs Cason Wallace didn’t amaze anyone with his playoff debut last season.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Among all, what truly amazed the 2022 U.S. Open champion was the 14-time PGA Tour winner, Scheffler's sheer dominance.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Her dad drove to Boulder to attack the protest three days later, according to investigators.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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The pathogen is known as Fusarium graminearum, which can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and sicken livestock and people, the FBI said in a court filing in Detroit.—
Ed White,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Noun
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For Córdova, that path began with a moment of astonishment: watching a television program about neutron stars as a young woman, she was struck by the immensity of the cosmos and felt the pull of a question that would guide her for a lifetime — how does the universe work?—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Then, to my astonishment, two slender blue-white streaks appeared, faintly at first, then slightly brighter, like a pair of angel wings peeking through some wondrous celestial realm.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Pacers hold a 2-0 series lead after stunning the Knicks at MSG in Games 1 and 2.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 May 2025
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Related article Tyrese Haliburton and Indiana Pacers stun New York Knicks in overtime to take Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals Siakam insisted, however, that he and his teammates were not getting distracted by the prospect of writing their names in franchise history.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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