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
James Mercadante, EW.com, 23 July 2025
In a surprising turn, top economist Mohamed El-Erian has broken with convention among financial leaders by publicly calling for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to resign.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
South Carolina: The most surprising collection of players who could become the best in the country.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Most stories have a surprising amount of drama before finding the right approach.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
And the only thing more surprising than his agreeing to do the role was his character's shocking surrender to death at the end of the second act.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 23 July 2025
In a surprising turn, top economist Mohamed El-Erian has broken with convention among financial leaders by publicly calling for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to resign.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
South Carolina: The most surprising collection of players who could become the best in the country.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Most stories have a surprising amount of drama before finding the right approach.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
This was a startling rebuke to those who have argued for years that Syria should avert another dictatorship by conferring greater power on local authorities.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2025
-
The startling discovery was made Wednesday, July 16, at House of Refuge beach, about a 105-mile drive north from Miami.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Then to be promoted to the summer tour party and, on top of that, trusted to perform in adult matches with a significant audience and unstoppable level of attention is astonishing.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Well, the bolt is an astonishing 515 miles (829 kilometers) long.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
But to say Destiny’s Child gave me the green light is amazing.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
14 July 2025
-
The shoes have amazing cushioning that provides serious support, which was ideal for long walks in Athens.—
Alexis Benveniste,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
Brad Schmitt Hey there, new neighbors, and welcome back to our intro to Nashville and all the wonderful things the city has to offer you.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
26 July 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
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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
-
This was adapted as a limited series on Netflix and stars the transcendent Meghann Fahy and the equally stunning Nicole Kidman.—
Karin Slaughter,
People.com,
29 July 2025
-
The hotel can also organise local experiences, such as a Mini Moke hire to drive to Castellar de la Frontera, one of Spain’s most stunning villages; or an olive oil experience at La Almazara La Organic, an olive grove and museum designed by Philippe Starck set at the foot of the Serranía de Ronda.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Osbourne’s public rebirth with The Osbournes—the MTV reality series that ran from 2002 to 2005—transmuted his erratic nature and past struggles into a miraculous joke.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
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The original statue in Manila was brought to the Philippines in 1606 and faithful around the world have attributed miraculous healing properties to the statue.—
Emilie Takahashi,
Oc Register,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some incredible people were with us at the beginning, but life happens.—
Jon-Michael Banks,
Kansas City Star,
30 July 2025
-
Letscher’s more-than-endearing script runs the entire gamut of emotions without ever feeling manipulative or treacly, and pulls it all off in less than 90 minutes – an incredible feat.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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