surprise 1 of 2

noun

sər-ˈprīz How to pronounce surprise (audio)
variants also surprize
Definition of surprisenext
1
as in shock
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 amazement
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 ambush
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

surprise

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprize
1
as in to amaze
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 to ambush
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb surprise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of surprise are amaze, astonish, astound, and flabbergast. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Where would amaze be a reasonable alternative to surprise?

The meanings of amaze and surprise largely overlap; however, amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is it sensible to use astonish instead of surprise?

While the synonyms astonish and surprise are close in meaning, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When is astound a more appropriate choice than surprise?

The words astound and surprise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

When might flabbergast be a better fit than surprise?

In some situations, the words flabbergast and surprise are roughly equivalent. However, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of surprise
Noun
An outbreak—even one this big—should not have come as a surprise. —Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025 The couple kept their second pregnancy under wraps, making Thunder and Saint's debuts a surprise. —Nasha Smith, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
Two days later the officers obliged, surprising the young whistleblower with two scoops of ice cream topped with blue sprinkles. —Lex Harvey, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 Afterwards, Lionel Richie surprised her with a phone call to her favorite singer, Patti LaBelle. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surprise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise
  1. shock
  2. amazement
  3. ambush
  4. amaze
  5. attack
  6. astonishment
  7. stun
  8. startle
Noun
  • Ukraine launched its shock incursion into Kursk in August, swiftly capturing territory in what was the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
  • However, as the camera pans around to take in all of the other Yellowjackets’ reactions, there’s a wide variety of emotions: Shauna is in shock.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of shock
Noun
  • To our collective amazement, the RGB LEDs were able to create wholly recognizable color images.
    — Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Nonetheless, the smoke continued to spread and to her amazement, Echo went to the refrigerator and got a bottle of water.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of amazement
Noun
  • The attack from the president and vice president of the United States in the Oval Office on Ukraine’s president seemed to many observers like an ambush.
    — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Judging by the reaction of most Ukrainians to the ambush of their president in the Oval Office, this effort will not succeed.
    — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of ambush
Verb
  • What amazed me was that Zeah was already on home detention for a rack of serious criminal charges.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The Chiefs didn’t amaze us on an every-game basis, not really, anyway.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • When Jensen then decides to go long, Collins and Pinnock move towards the near post and Wissa adjusts his position to be able to attack the second ball.
    — Mark Carey, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • There’s good reason why security experts, and analysts such as myself, recommend using a password manager as hackers continue to attack the integrity of your login credentials across accounts.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.
    — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The prize caused a small ripple of astonishment, since both Anora and The Brutalist had been tipped.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of astonishment
Verb
  • At the Elimination Chamber event on March 1st, Cena stunned fans by attacking Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • With Conquest stunned, Mark finally gains the upper hand and headbutts him to death, pulverizing his skull into pulp.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Lilian, startled, looked around at the door, and that made the sisters laugh: Lilian, too, was tricked, just like the hedgehog.
    — Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Homelessness and trauma can cause people to startle reflexively when touched, Greig says, part of the reason the site’s staff offers hugs to clients and encourages them to call family.
    — Ian Willms, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of startle

Phrases Containing surprise

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Cite this Entry

“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surprise

Nglish: Translation of surprise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surprise

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