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 astonishment
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
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
No less than Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, perhaps the war’s biggest cheerleader in the administration, had to admit that Iran’s regional retaliation was not exactly a surprise.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Fiedler surprised himself with that performance and eventually quit baseball to focus on basketball full-time.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
Following the printing process, the team found that the parts only needed 6 hours or so of treatment, which is a surprise, as typically most high-performance steels need multiple heat treatments to finish.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
No less than Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, perhaps the war’s biggest cheerleader in the administration, had to admit that Iran’s regional retaliation was not exactly a surprise.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Carmel’s Emerson Larson isn’t the type of pitcher who can surprise an opposing lineup.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Fiedler surprised himself with that performance and eventually quit baseball to focus on basketball full-time.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike past economic shocks to the system, such as the Great Recession or Covid, there will be fewer tools for the government to use to lessen the blow for businesses and consumers.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Whispers ripple in astonishment, and nods of approval are seen throughout the audience.—
Zoe Bahjat,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
To his astonishment, the country’s Central Statistics Office had dropped price tracking of the nation’s most popular beer in 2011.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, her father described the assault as a calculated ambush, not a random act of violence.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
As ambush predators, the aquatic vegetation provides the perfect spot to sit and wait for an unsuspecting baitfish or crawfish to meander by.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For twelve seasons, Kim has amazed us with her fierce and raw portrayal of Teddy Altman.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The guys that amaze me the most are the guys that can turn it over every year and still be damn good.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has also threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The exercise, much like a sprint, is meant to invigorate an artist's year with an intense jolt of art-making.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The first jolt of excitement for the Golden State Warriors in far too long.—
Sports Columnist,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was 8-year-old Landyn Kelly from Henderson, Nevada, rapping 40-foot putts toward the hole with 90-year-old Player watching with amazement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The book is a mostly light-hearted exploration of Bennett's relationship with the tournament, from growing up in England rooting for his local soccer heroes, to watching in amazement every four years as teams from all over the globe take the spotlight on the World Cup stage.—
Jeffrey Pierre,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Arms were folded, faces stunned by, and a feeling of defeat—that's what was left as the road to the championship came to a halt with the Fighting Illini losing to the UConn Huskies.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While new-car sales dropped in the EU through January, BYD stunned the market by reporting a 175% year-on-year increase in deliveries to 13,982 units, according to ACEA data.—
Sam Meredith,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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