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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of surprising
Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Enjoy its rich history, its varied cultural offerings, its excellent gastronomy, and its surprising nature.
—Iberia Airlines, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
Regular Movement This isn’t a surprising tip–by now, many of us know that moving our bodies can have a positive impact on our mental well-being.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 10 Jan. 2025
An interesting start to 2025 for Microsoft, with another setback after the surprising news that Google’s already dominant Chrome was growing more quickly than its own Edge browser as 2024 ended, despite the constant nags and ads across Windows pushing users in the opposite direction.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for surprising 
Adjective
Still, as her book careens to a bloody and somewhat surprising end, I was left slightly dissatisfied.
—Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Enjoy its rich history, its varied cultural offerings, its excellent gastronomy, and its surprising nature.
—Iberia Airlines, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
Regular Movement This isn’t a surprising tip–by now, many of us know that moving our bodies can have a positive impact on our mental well-being.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 10 Jan. 2025
An interesting start to 2025 for Microsoft, with another setback after the surprising news that Google’s already dominant Chrome was growing more quickly than its own Edge browser as 2024 ended, despite the constant nags and ads across Windows pushing users in the opposite direction.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for surprising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprising
Adjective
-
These were the size of carnival one-sheets, and full of startling clip-art imagery (a screaming head, a creepy baby in a mobcap) and aggressive block capitals, announcing the circus was back in town.—
Helen Shaw,
The New Yorker,
9 Jan. 2025
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But also to both the vital everyday structures and the cultural monuments that helped mark this place’s stunning achievements, told its citizens’ stories and embodied its startling confluence of talent, originality and freedom.—
Sam Lubell,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Having the Internet all the time was astonishing and felt like the future.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The Spurs rookie is averaging 1.0 steals and an astonishing 3.9 blocks per game this season.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Not only is the food amazing, but so is the interior.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Musk has many amazing traits, but wisdom is not one of them.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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At 6-2, 202 pounds, Will Johnson has excellent size and length for a cornerback and would be a wonderful complement to Gardner.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2025
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The property’s prime location is also close to the launch sites of the area’s famed hot air balloon rides, which are a wonderful way to take in the spectacular views of the otherworldly land formations.—
Sandra MacGregor,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 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
-
The stunning launch of $TRUMP caught the entire industry off-guard, and speaks to both his personal influence and the ascendancy of cryptocurrency in his administration.—
Ben Berkowitz,
Axios,
18 Jan. 2025
-
This is a stunning, unique spirit with authentic tropical flavors.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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One mom dog who survived being shot four times shortly after giving birth to 11 puppies is making a miraculous recovery thanks to the kindness of generous donors.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
12 Jan. 2025
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To get in touch with the miraculous Francis, the folkloric Francis, read the Fioretti, or The Little Flowers of St. Francis, a 14th-century collection of tales about the saint and his friars.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Iowa product laid out and brought in an incredible one-handed grab for the score to put Detroit in front 14-10.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Inside her was the growing awareness that Sebastien had only been writing her, Dani, out of a sense of duty, all the while hotly suffering a much more grownup correspondence with the incredible Yvonne.—
Sheila Heti,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near surprising
Cite this Entry
“Surprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprising. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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