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
But that's the fun of awards season—there's always an element of surprise to keep you on your toes.
—
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 7 Jan. 2025
Leave a comment View Comments A selection of new works and performances will be on display in the Ladies Lounge but, wishing to maintain the element of surprise, MONA has not disclosed full details.
—Elizabeth Fortescue, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
The bottom line: Democrats lost the element of surprise last week with their NLRB gambit.
—Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Negro and his team’s latest research suggests instead that the barn owl’s brilliant white plumage is in fact a form of nocturnal camouflage or counter-illumination that gives the hunter an element of surprise.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
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.
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 7 Jan. 2025
Leave a comment View Comments A selection of new works and performances will be on display in the Ladies Lounge but, wishing to maintain the element of surprise, MONA has not disclosed full details.
—Elizabeth Fortescue, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
The bottom line: Democrats lost the element of surprise last week with their NLRB gambit.
—Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Negro and his team’s latest research suggests instead that the barn owl’s brilliant white plumage is in fact a form of nocturnal camouflage or counter-illumination that gives the hunter an element of surprise.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for element of surprise
Dictionary Entries Near 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 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share