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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of surprising
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
But few retailers take the responsibility of delighting and surprising shoppers more seriously than Selfridges, the rare department store with a free-to-use indoor skate bowl.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
The fishery has remained, but with some surprising and possibly troubling twists.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
The short film directed by Oscar nominee Betsy West (RBG) explores how Ukrainian children cope with the devastation and terror of war – finding poignant and often surprising ways to deal with traumatic experience.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surprising 
Adjective
This isn't that surprising; every combination of quarks and gluons, except the proton, is also unstable in isolation.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
But few retailers take the responsibility of delighting and surprising shoppers more seriously than Selfridges, the rare department store with a free-to-use indoor skate bowl.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
The fishery has remained, but with some surprising and possibly troubling twists.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
The short film directed by Oscar nominee Betsy West (RBG) explores how Ukrainian children cope with the devastation and terror of war – finding poignant and often surprising ways to deal with traumatic experience.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
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Dodging may have saved a few North Koreans last weekend, but the 11th Army Corps’ overall casualties were still startling high.David Axe, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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That also included a startling new development for Shadows: genuine emotion, at least on occasion.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Yet the slow force of small change really does alter Saturn’s rings, and what looks like an astonishing, radical amputation may turn out to be the trick of an angle and a passing happenstance of positioning.Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
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Channel 4’s long-running Countdown quiz has crowned its first female champion in an astonishing 26 years.Caroline Frost, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Earlier this year, Apple introduced its amazing Vision Pro spatial computing headset, giving us a glimpse of our immersive digital future.Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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What’s been amazing about series one is getting all these incredible actors together.Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The residents of this wonderful city hold a special place in my heart.Melissa Noel, Essence, 16 Dec. 2024
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Watch The Small One on Disney+ Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas This short holiday special catches up with the Ice Age characters at the most wonderful time of the year … well, in theory.Sydni Ellis, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Bucs’ shocking loss to the Cowboys greatly swung the tide in the division, but the work is hardly done.Jeff Howe and Austin Mock, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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Hefty wind gusts knocked down trees and power lines across the city, blocking major roadways and streets and shocking residents.Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The stunning collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has presented a new opportunity to gather fresh intelligence on the American national, according to current and former US officials.Nathan Hodge, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
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No other team in the playoff has been more second-guessed than the Buckeyes after their regular season ended with a stunning home loss to rival Michigan, which was a 20-point underdog.Andrew Greif, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Steph Curry’s two miraculous 3s in the final 12.2 seconds pulled the Warriors into a sudden tie.Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
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The day after the closing was announced something miraculous happened.Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The winners in each discipline of the Street Style Pro will earn automatic invites to X Games Aspen 2025, making for an incredible opportunity for up-and-coming athletes.Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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Who'll win week 1 Schools officials describe Davis as an accomplished photographer, videographer, filmmaker and editor who possesses incredible skill in the technical performing arts, Green Hill High School Counseling Secretary Amy Brewer said.Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near surprising
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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