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
Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
This is not surprising considering that free speech has long been associated with the metaphor of free trade in ideas, closely tied to the value of a deregulated market economy.
—Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
At the end of Season 3, Belinda finds herself in a surprising position of power after Greg offers her $100,000 to keep quiet about his identity.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
How to pet a dragon — and cast a spell
Beyond rides, Epic Universe provides a surprising amount of interactive elements and experiences that were first teased in the existing Harry Potter lands in their two previous Florida parks.
—Adrian Ruhi, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
There are surprising developments about who gets read into the truth and when.
—Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
This is not surprising considering that free speech has long been associated with the metaphor of free trade in ideas, closely tied to the value of a deregulated market economy.
—Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025
At the end of Season 3, Belinda finds herself in a surprising position of power after Greg offers her $100,000 to keep quiet about his identity.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
How to pet a dragon — and cast a spell
Beyond rides, Epic Universe provides a surprising amount of interactive elements and experiences that were first teased in the existing Harry Potter lands in their two previous Florida parks.
—Adrian Ruhi, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
The New Orleans Saints were hit with some startling news on the health status of starting quarterback Derek Carr just two weeks prior to the NFL Draft.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
If anything, this document only underscores the startling escalation of Trump's war on dissent and efforts to remove people who disagree with him or U.S. policy.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Even so, his start was nothing short of astonishing.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
This urban getaway lacks the drama of national park favorites like Zion or the Grand Canyon, but its conservation successes are quite astonishing.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And just having that extra note to bring to him from Disney, from Mulan, was amazing.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Women were calling in from all parts of the country and want to spend XY and Z and [asked to] ‘pull an amazing rack for me,’ something unique and custom to the location.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Katy Perry reportedly sang ‘Its a wonderful world,’ Gayle King beamed in zero gravity, as Lauren Sánchez—pilot, philanthropist, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, led Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to the edge of space.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Once she’s done blending, her full glam results are stunning yet intriguing, with a playful feminine hue.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Beautiful and stunning but very subtle at the same time.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
All of this is made possible through the elegant, limitlessly expressive writing system that is musical notation, which is as miraculous as the alphabet itself, and can be used for purposes every bit as varied.—
Matthew Aucoin,
The Atlantic,
15 Apr. 2025
-
From $280 Book now This transformation of the historic and stately National Bank into the Riggs hotel is nearly miraculous.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
AFAR Media,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
American Express and Chase both have incredible travel rewards programs that offer a wide variety of redemptions and exceptional value.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
-
And a huge thank you to Planned Parenthood of Greater New York for this incredible honor.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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