by surprise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of them squawked about the slush fund in ways that took me by surprise.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

The army says it had launched an unprecedented intelligence-led operation that had been weeks in the planning and taken the Islamist militants by surprise.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Bilton was named to the post last week, an announcement that caught many in the media industry by surprise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

And so when she hears it again, it takes her by surprise.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

I did not reply at first, for my tongue was bound by surprise.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein