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
Emily McLeod, CBS News, 18 June 2026
The regulatory filing, certified on May 26, 2026, confirms several of Tesla’s design goals while revealing a few mechanical surprises regarding the robotaxi’s drivetrain and overall mass.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
But few surprises will top a Cabo Verde team ranked 67th at the start of the tournament holding Spain – many pundits’ pick for the title – to a 0-0 draw.
—Eric Zillmer, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Daily gratuities or service charges are one of the most common surprises for new cruisers.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Consumers who love surprises are in for a treat with Aldi's Blind Box grocery bundles.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 17 June 2026
One of the biggest surprises in Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay arrives through Evan Loftis, the seemingly ordinary teenager at the center of the show’s increasingly unsettling mystery.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 June 2026
However, this World Cup has produced enough surprises to remind us not to underestimate anyone.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 17 June 2026
Even with all those extra teams – there’s 48 in this year’s tournament, up 16 from recent editions – there will still be the surprises and upsets that make every World Cup special.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
Matt Minton, Variety, 16 June 2026
What the program asks of you in return The 200 hours of sweat equity is the part of the program that surprises some applicants.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
That finding surprises many people because modern entrepreneurship education often treats venture capital as the default path to growth.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
If a neighbor surprises you, name a need and set timing that respects your energy.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
That sense of timelessness has helped Cherry Valley resonate with listeners since its release, a facet that Faith admits still surprises her.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
What surprises me now is how hopeful the movie feels.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
This requirement often surprises applicants who have spent significant time outside the workforce or who worked primarily in jobs that did not pay into Social Security.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 June 2026
If those dominoes start to fall in a way that surprises Wall Street, reactions will be much more adverse.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Noun
Nataly Fajardo, a devoted supporter of the Colombian National Soccer Team, described this World Cup as unpredictable and full of surprises.
—Emily McLeod, CBS News, 18 June 2026
The regulatory filing, certified on May 26, 2026, confirms several of Tesla’s design goals while revealing a few mechanical surprises regarding the robotaxi’s drivetrain and overall mass.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
But few surprises will top a Cabo Verde team ranked 67th at the start of the tournament holding Spain – many pundits’ pick for the title – to a 0-0 draw.
—Eric Zillmer, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Daily gratuities or service charges are one of the most common surprises for new cruisers.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Consumers who love surprises are in for a treat with Aldi's Blind Box grocery bundles.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 17 June 2026
One of the biggest surprises in Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay arrives through Evan Loftis, the seemingly ordinary teenager at the center of the show’s increasingly unsettling mystery.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 June 2026
However, this World Cup has produced enough surprises to remind us not to underestimate anyone.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 17 June 2026
Even with all those extra teams – there’s 48 in this year’s tournament, up 16 from recent editions – there will still be the surprises and upsets that make every World Cup special.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
Verb
His plans take a turn when Minnie surprises him and the gang with tickets to spend Christmas at a world-famous Ice Palace.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 16 June 2026
What the program asks of you in return The 200 hours of sweat equity is the part of the program that surprises some applicants.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
That finding surprises many people because modern entrepreneurship education often treats venture capital as the default path to growth.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
If a neighbor surprises you, name a need and set timing that respects your energy.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
That sense of timelessness has helped Cherry Valley resonate with listeners since its release, a facet that Faith admits still surprises her.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
What surprises me now is how hopeful the movie feels.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
This requirement often surprises applicants who have spent significant time outside the workforce or who worked primarily in jobs that did not pay into Social Security.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 June 2026
If those dominoes start to fall in a way that surprises Wall Street, reactions will be much more adverse.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
On the plus side, the survey shows Warsh taking the helm of an economy that has been resilient to recent shocks and expected to remain that way.—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
-
As droughts become more frequent and severe, those with older rights and deeper infrastructure will continue to receive water; those with junior rights, domestic wells or small systems will face more frequent shortages, contamination and price shocks.—
David Sathuluri,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Cuba also maintains elite forces trained for counter-special-operations missions, guerrilla warfare, ambushes, sabotage and close protection of senior leaders.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
Even in areas not under its direct control, the widespread sympathy in rural areas allows JNIM to set up ambushes along the main roads and dominate the main supply routes into the capitals, especially in Mali.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
More than 30 years later, what amazes me isn’t just what that team accomplished on the field.—
Charlie Davies,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
-
This technology still amazes me.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
In a 1998 study published in Toxicon, researchers revealed that the inland taipan’s venom comprises a sophisticated mix of biologically active compounds, each of which attacks multiple physiological systems simultaneously.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The bodycam footage shows Rivas swimming across the water before an alligator gives chase and attacks him.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The building jolts and is cloaked in blackness.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Edwards’ explosiveness produces randomized jolts of spectacular.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Officials with Connecticut’s mosquito management program are hard at work setting up traps and collecting mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause illnesses in people, including West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
-
During their hospitalization, Alameda County Vector Control laid rat traps in and around the RV and sealed the vehicle, only opening it to remove the dead rats.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
27 May 2026
-
Torch Lake in Michigan stuns with its clear turquoise water, glacial origins, and iconic summer sandbar scene.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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