element of surprise
noun phrase
: the unexpected or surprising character of something
The attackers were relying on the element of surprise.
Examples of element of surprise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In conflicts, the element of surprise and creativity is as important as being strong, out maneuvering your opponents.
—
Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
But there would be little to gain strategically in this direction and there was no proper element of surprise, Kastehelmi said.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
If planning a full-on adventure feels overwhelming, try incorporating a small element of surprise into your date night.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
The past three years, for instance, have demonstrated that the element of surprise remains an integral part of war.
—Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for element of surprise
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.
Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
But there would be little to gain strategically in this direction and there was no proper element of surprise, Kastehelmi said.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
If planning a full-on adventure feels overwhelming, try incorporating a small element of surprise into your date night.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
The past three years, for instance, have demonstrated that the element of surprise remains an integral part of war.
—Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for element of surprise
Cite this Entry
“Element of surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element%20of%20surprise. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share