variants
also surprize
1
as in shock
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 amazement
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
also surprize
1
as in to amaze
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 to ambush
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surprise
Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Along with pausing the helicopter flights, Schumer pushed for the FAA to increase ramp inspections – surprise inspections that ensure the companies and helicopters are complying with safety regulations – at other helicopter tour companies in the city.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
Eric Nehm, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Yet even those sharp pencils might be surprised by some of what can be found among the hidden data in the Excel file.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Noun
But the singer had one more surprise in store before wrapping the pitch-perfect set.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Along with pausing the helicopter flights, Schumer pushed for the FAA to increase ramp inspections – surprise inspections that ensure the companies and helicopters are complying with safety regulations – at other helicopter tour companies in the city.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Pacers pushing the ball in transition shouldn’t surprise the Bucks.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Yet even those sharp pencils might be surprised by some of what can be found among the hidden data in the Excel file.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
-
The biggest shock to anyone standing within that path and having clear weather — which certainly wasn’t everyone on April 8, 2024 — was the sight of the sun's corona, its wispy white outer atmosphere.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
His dissertation for his Harvard University economics PhD – appropriately for the current moment – was about how South Korea’s economy could weather external shocks.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To no one’s amazement, Shohei Ohtani homered triumphantly in the Tokyo Series.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
-
To our collective amazement, the RGB LEDs were able to create wholly recognizable color images.—
Ryan Waniata,
WIRED,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to witnessing bloodshed as a soldier and a journalist, Godwin has also lost his eldest sister, Jain, who was killed along with her fiancé and their best man in an army ambush in 1978, just weeks before her wedding.—
Dina Gachman,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The first-half ambush was the best show of the beautiful game yet from the expansion club, rewarding folks who wanted a Major League Soccer team in San Diego.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is that after Covid, a lot of the business became transactional.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
-
This isn't the first time a thrift store find has amazed the internet.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Every American should reject the president's and his cronies' illegitimate use of government power to attack his enemies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Korematsu was just 22 years old and working hard to expand his family’s flower nursery outside San Francisco when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941.—
Lauren Stienstra,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Seventeen hundred people piled into the comments expressing astonishment that someone who had previously been so vocal in support of Ukraine was now apparently cheering the humiliation of its leader.—
Andrew Carey and Victoria Butenko,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Marino continued to grapple with his astonishment over White's filming schedule.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Related article Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala stuns five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek to reach Miami Open semifinals Despite losing, Eala wore a beaming smile on her face before walking off the court, with the crowd applauding her for a memorable run.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Rogen was also stunned when a Hollywood heavyweight director agreed to appear.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In a now-viral video from Stacy Goss, the family was startled by the sight of a huge bald eagle gawking at them, but more concerningly, at their dog Gnocchi.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share