variants
also surprizes
1
as in shocks
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 amazements
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ambushes
a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait
waited under cover of darkness and took the enemy encampment by surprise at dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprizes
1
as in amazes
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 attacks
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of surprises
Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Still, there are variables that can create opportunities for surprises.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
North Central College political science professor Stephen Maynard Caliendo believes that will lead to some surprises.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
August 23 – September 22 When feelings clash with surprises, choose steady habits.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The 2026 Oscars wrapped up awards season with a night full of big wins, surprises, and a few notable no-shows.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The 2026 Oscars telecast had several surprises, several firsts, over half of the Best Picture nominees winning at least one award, and even a tie.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The streets are covered in urine (dog or otherwise), and the subways are filled with unpleasant surprises.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Led by Hailey Van Lith, the Horned Frogs became one of the biggest surprises in the nation, going from unranked in the preseason to capturing the program’s first Big 12 regular-season and conference tournament championships.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
A lot of Americans disagree with this war, and that surprises me.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Of course Darryl is quick to pass judgements, but also relates to her on a level that surprises him.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
What surprises you about the biggest donors?
—David Campbell, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Caroline eventually surprises Linda at the motel.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
The five teams scatter to their work stations, bemoaning the 92-degree heat (no one complains about the noisy vroom vroom of the racecar driving around, which surprises me), and get to work.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
The interesting question is by how much, and whether one of them surprises us.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
While this admission made at the NFL Combine surprises absolutely nobody, the description, and a subtle exclusion, does provide a hint of what’s to come this spring and summer.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
Emotional rug-pulls arrive in the form of happy surprises that stretch the third act too long and test the limits of our disbelief.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Still, there are variables that can create opportunities for surprises.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
North Central College political science professor Stephen Maynard Caliendo believes that will lead to some surprises.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
August 23 – September 22 When feelings clash with surprises, choose steady habits.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The 2026 Oscars wrapped up awards season with a night full of big wins, surprises, and a few notable no-shows.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The 2026 Oscars telecast had several surprises, several firsts, over half of the Best Picture nominees winning at least one award, and even a tie.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The streets are covered in urine (dog or otherwise), and the subways are filled with unpleasant surprises.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Led by Hailey Van Lith, the Horned Frogs became one of the biggest surprises in the nation, going from unranked in the preseason to capturing the program’s first Big 12 regular-season and conference tournament championships.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Continue reading … MASSIVE UPSET — Venezuela surprises Team USA in thrilling World Baseball Classic final victory.
—FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
A lot of Americans disagree with this war, and that surprises me.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Of course Darryl is quick to pass judgements, but also relates to her on a level that surprises him.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
What surprises you about the biggest donors?
—David Campbell, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Caroline eventually surprises Linda at the motel.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
The five teams scatter to their work stations, bemoaning the 92-degree heat (no one complains about the noisy vroom vroom of the racecar driving around, which surprises me), and get to work.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
The interesting question is by how much, and whether one of them surprises us.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
While this admission made at the NFL Combine surprises absolutely nobody, the description, and a subtle exclusion, does provide a hint of what’s to come this spring and summer.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Then surging oil prices due to the Iran war have drawn comparisons to the oil supply shocks that led to shortages and long gas lines Americans saw during stagflation in the 1970s.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
-
This system was set up after the shocks from the 1970s Arab oil crisis.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the months before the surge in operations, police lost 25 armored vehicles to ambushes involving barricades, trenches and Molotov cocktail attacks, authorities said.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has used the tunnels to store weapons, hide hostages and stage ambushes of Israeli soldiers.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Eva’s romance with her husband, Franklin Plaskett, delights and amazes her.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
-
What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes.—
Andrew Jones,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Bifenthrin, which attacks an insect’s nervous system and is considered a possible human carcinogen, was found on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, collards, celery, bok choy and green beans, according to the report.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This could cause jolts in the energy markets.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Literal and figurative pain points included ensuring each piece properly conducting electricity, rigging every square with mechanical keyboard switches to facilitate the connections, and countless unintentional jolts.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hyundai stuns with Atlas Hyundai showcased Atlas at CES in Las Vegas last month.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Jimenez created this look using two coats of a bronzy pearl polish accented with subtle green glitter, resulting in a finish that stuns with its simplicity.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
All defendants maintained their innocence and appealed after a two-year trial that opened a Pandora's box of unwanted revelations about papal ransom payments to Islamic militants, Vatican vendettas, espionage and other dirty laundry of the Holy See.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
None of the revelations feels especially explosive.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two electric fly traps were installed inside the facility.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Air pollution that traps heat also has higher levels of CO2, which plants use to photosynthesize.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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