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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of surprising
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
30 June 2026
The twists and turns are constantly surprising and usually violent.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
The Bears ran the third-most plays last season with multiple tight ends on the field with 501 after surprising some experts by drafting Colston Loveland 10th overall last year to team with Cole Kmet.
—
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
Given three minutes, an easel, and fingerpaint, the players compete to create the most surprising art.
—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
30 June 2026
The twists and turns are constantly surprising and usually violent.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Verb
The pair’s secret romance was already woven into Season 1, surprising those who’ve read the source material since Allie and Dean are the focus of the third book in the series.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
The Bears ran the third-most plays last season with multiple tight ends on the field with 501 after surprising some experts by drafting Colston Loveland 10th overall last year to team with Cole Kmet.
—
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
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The visitor—who understands English but can’t speak—gradually learns to fit in while deploying his few but startling paranormal abilities.
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In a 2010 study, scientists cooked meatloaf and found that startling quantities of silicone migrated into the food.
Adjective
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Their defensive commitment was astonishing, compact and aggressive in a 5-4-1 shape throughout, limiting the overwhelming tournament favourites to pot-shots for over an hour.
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Laptop Deal The HP OmniBook 3 redefines long-haul productivity by delivering an astonishing 32 hours and 15 minutes of operating on a single charge.
Verb
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In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.
Verb
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Prosecutors, meanwhile, have alleged that Mangione meticulously planned the killing for months, documenting his thoughts in journals and traveling across the country before ambushing Thompson in New York City.
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Lit up by minor-leaguers ambushing first-pitch fastballs?
Adjective
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Cape Verde began this run by making a statement, producing a shocking 0-0 draw against soccer powerhouse Spain on June 15 in its first-ever World Cup match.
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The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears.
Adjective
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The animals, the cool weather and the wonderful people of this region made for a memorable trip.
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Bat boxes are a wonderful addition to your yard for attracting bats and giving them a safe place to live.
Verb
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Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
Verb
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He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
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Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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