variants
also surprizes
1
as in shocks
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 amazements
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 ambushes
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
variants
also surprizes
1
as in amazes
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 traps
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 surprises
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
The Indianapolis Colts remain one of the biggest surprises of the season and have won three straight to improve their record to a league-best 6-1.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
In Milan, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum is a hit with curious kids; in Amman, Jordan, the Royal Automobile Museum surprises even seasoned travelers.
—Christie Holmes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
This next year is going to be exciting and filled to the brim with surprises.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2025
When a series of surprises and secrets threaten to upend everything, Cora meets Aaron, the only man who seems to get her.
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
There are also a few surprises, too.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Lincoln’s David Dunn said his team will be ready for any surprises.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
New York’s start to the 2025 season has been one of the biggest surprises.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Kendall Jenner surprises students from UT Austin with 818 Tequila and Uber Eats tailgate supplies ahead of Tailgate with 818 in Dallas.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
You’re pitched an offer that surprises you as Venus and Jupiter harmonize.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Japanese Walking Focuses on Effort, Not Step Count What surprises me most is how differently IWT frames the idea of progress.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Red Rock has been a huge part of my life, but Nevada still surprises me with how much there is to see and do.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Nothing surprises me anymore in football.
—Sam Joseph, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Respecting the medium often surprises me with the most rewarding outcomes.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
The other thing that still surprises me is how many people are still willing to apply to come do it.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
This tradition is still one of our favorites to get in the spirit each year, and the best advent calendars for adults are filled with even more surprises than sweets.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
The Indianapolis Colts remain one of the biggest surprises of the season and have won three straight to improve their record to a league-best 6-1.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
In Milan, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum is a hit with curious kids; in Amman, Jordan, the Royal Automobile Museum surprises even seasoned travelers.
—Christie Holmes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
This next year is going to be exciting and filled to the brim with surprises.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2025
When a series of surprises and secrets threaten to upend everything, Cora meets Aaron, the only man who seems to get her.
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
There are also a few surprises, too.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Lincoln’s David Dunn said his team will be ready for any surprises.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
New York’s start to the 2025 season has been one of the biggest surprises.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
But every now and then a recipe surprises us.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Kendall Jenner surprises students from UT Austin with 818 Tequila and Uber Eats tailgate supplies ahead of Tailgate with 818 in Dallas.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
You’re pitched an offer that surprises you as Venus and Jupiter harmonize.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Japanese Walking Focuses on Effort, Not Step Count What surprises me most is how differently IWT frames the idea of progress.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Red Rock has been a huge part of my life, but Nevada still surprises me with how much there is to see and do.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Nothing surprises me anymore in football.
—Sam Joseph, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Respecting the medium often surprises me with the most rewarding outcomes.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
The other thing that still surprises me is how many people are still willing to apply to come do it.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
Noun
-
Giving a sniper rifle explosive rounds that also cause electrical shocks seems like overkill, but shooting that gun never gets old.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Policymakers should focus on accelerating implementation of Africa’s free trade area to make the continent more resilient to global shocks, the secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat said.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In basic multiplayer fashion, there are bottlenecked spaces for ambushes, and everything loops together just fine for flanking.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Aside from games like volleyball and dominoes, Gach says some children stage fake ambushes on one another while pretending to be government forces or rebel fighters.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Personality-wise, Luca amazes me.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These revelations triggered a wave of panicked news stories, and soon the internet was full of startups offering blue-light-blocking glasses and screen filters.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Among the many shocking revelations was the reason why Adriana de Moura and Julia Lemigova are no longer friends.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Among them, Colleen Allen’s debut velvet maxi stuns in its simplicity, and Dries Van Noten’s bohemian take, fresh off the FW25 runway, makes a convincing case for maximalism.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Once inside, the home stuns with an abundance of natural light streaming from the many windows wrapping the main level.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Along with the musical performance from Smith, fans can expect big bombshells and some piping hot tea from this season’s couples.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But the bombshells in the book focused on Prince Andrew, who dropped use of his royal titles last week in response.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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