surprise 1 of 2

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

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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

3
as in ambush
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

surprise

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb surprise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of surprise are amaze, astonish, astound, and flabbergast. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Where would amaze be a reasonable alternative to surprise?

The meanings of amaze and surprise largely overlap; however, amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is it sensible to use astonish instead of surprise?

While the synonyms astonish and surprise are close in meaning, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When is astound a more appropriate choice than surprise?

The words astound and surprise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

When might flabbergast be a better fit than surprise?

In some situations, the words flabbergast and surprise are roughly equivalent. However, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

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
Noun
Every honoree with the exception of Joe Ely was on site to receive the award, as well as perform their classic songs with help from Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Bruce Springsteen, and surprise guests Jackson Browne, Nils Lofgren, Nora Guthrie, and Darlene Love. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025 This is one of the show's many surprises: the self-awareness, the meta approach. Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
To be surprised by the sights of Trump chroniclers partying in 2025 D.C. would be like pearl-clutching at war correspondents laughing and going hard at the hotel bar; in traumatic places, grief tends to fade the closer in one telescopes. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2025 The woman shares that, coincidentally, her boyfriend surprised her with a proposal later that very same weekend during a pre-planned family getaway. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
Noun
  • Officers evacuated students from classrooms, as students walked away in shock.
    Graham Hurley, Aaron Fisher and Katherine Jennings, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Julian arrives at the bank as Olympia is standing in the vault, looking at the papers in shock.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Though their time in space was short, all six stepped away from the experience feeling a serene sense of awe and humble amazement.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Fishburne, 63, says in amazement when seeing the photo, which showed his father wearing glasses and a black suit.
    Sharareh Drury, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The majority are exported to the U.S. and the E.U. But in the wild, this shy companion turns into a patient ambush hunter.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Since coming together under the coalitions, gangs have proven themselves to be more mobile and more coordinated, carrying out military-style ambushes far away from their strongholds .
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Regardless of how or why, that drive continues to amaze me.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • What amazes me is that after Covid, a lot of the business became transactional.
    Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • According to a 2021 report by the Lowy Institute, almost one in five Chinese Australians reported being physically threatened or attacked in the previous year.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Police are searching for three suspects who were caught on video repeatedly attacking a 61-year-old trans woman outside of her convenience store in Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This article aims to challenge this prevailing sense of astonishment.
    David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Breeding for More Than Just Color Mr. Baker could have supplied his customers with a flashy assortment of coleus ordered from wholesale sources, skipping years of effort (but missing all the astonishment).
    Margaret Roach, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Broadus stunned in a plush pink coat and matching fedora.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In February 2013, Benedict stunned the Catholic world by becoming the first pope in six centuries to retire.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.
    Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
  • But the website also has messages about residents being startled, as Catanzaro was, by stealthy contractors with air guns.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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