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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of surprising
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2025
From edgy indies to blockbuster crowd-pleasers, prestige Oscar bait to experimental movies, Van Sant has spent the past 40 years delighting, surprising and confounding his audience.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
The bid to take Canada Goose private is not surprising, according to several industry watchers, as going private would give buyers greater autonomy to turn around the company, without the extra scrutiny that comes with stringent financial disclosures mandated for public enterprises.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
That being said, a new update has shared a potential surprising outcome to the situation.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Adjective
Meanwhile, surprising opportunities might arise from unexpected corners.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2025
From edgy indies to blockbuster crowd-pleasers, prestige Oscar bait to experimental movies, Van Sant has spent the past 40 years delighting, surprising and confounding his audience.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
The bid to take Canada Goose private is not surprising, according to several industry watchers, as going private would give buyers greater autonomy to turn around the company, without the extra scrutiny that comes with stringent financial disclosures mandated for public enterprises.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
That being said, a new update has shared a potential surprising outcome to the situation.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
While there have been some rumblings about Paramount on Reddit chat groups like Wall Street Bets, there hasn’t been anything like the Covid frenzy that boosted AMC Entertainment, GameStop and numerous other stocks to startling levels.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
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In 1956, the American geologist M. King Hubbert made a startling prediction: In a matter of decades, the supply of fuel on which so much of modern society depended would dwindle.—
Alexander C. Kaufman,
The Atlantic,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The disruption led chair umpire Greg Allensworth to put Bonzi back onto his first serve, sparking an astonishing outburst from Medvedev.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
-
These projects depend on an astonishing amount of new power.—
Delaney Nolan,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the things that’s been so amazing and surprising has been how many people have reached out about that episode.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
-
My heart goes out to all our amazing wildlife care specialists who have suffered losses this week.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The music is wonderful and the archival footage a blast.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
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Make sure everyone gets to enjoy this wonderful pastime for years to come.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 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
-
Then have a look at the stunning Cantiere del Marche Flexplorer 146 Lt. Pete Maverick Mitchell, or the 34-meter Pendennis Fox for adventure.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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The Jayhawks started 1-8 in 2021, but then Daniels led them to a stunning 57-56 upset of Texas, snapping the program’s 56-game road losing streak.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The plant’s miraculous feat of survival may seem as enigmatic as its ancestry, but the two are likely connected, according to Welch’s colleague Dr. Greg Grant, the Smith County horticulturist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.—
Jessica Jordan,
CNN Money,
27 Aug. 2025
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This is a nearly miraculous achievement for a stove setup this small and light (8 ounces).—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Secretariat won the Belmont by an incredible 31 lengths, and his record time of 2:24 still stands as the fastest of all time.—
Sarah Jean Maher,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Both owners reported incredible business for their openings.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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