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Definitions

surprise

[ser-prahyz, suh-] / sərˈpraɪz, sə- /
NOUN
something amazing; state of amazement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amazement astonishment awe bewilderment consternation curiosity disappointment jolt miracle revelation shock wonder
STRONG
abruptness attack bombshell disillusion epiphany eureka fortune godsend incredulity kick marvel miscalculation phenomenon portent precipitance precipitation precipitousness prodigy rarity start stupefaction suddenness thunderbolt whammy wonderment
WEAK
astoundment curveball eye-opener unexpected unforeseen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calmness composure coolness expectation happiness indifference
VERB
astonish; cause amazement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amaze astound awe bewilder confound confuse dazzle disconcert dismay dumbfound flabbergast overwhelm perplex rattle shock startle stun unsettle
STRONG
consternate daze discomfit electrify floor jar jolt nonplus petrify rock stagger stupefy
WEAK
blow away bowl over cause wonder leave aghast leave open-mouthed shake up spring something on strike dumb strike with awe take aback take one's breath away throw a curve
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bore calm clarify clear up comfort compose enlighten expect explain order soothe
VERB
sneak up on; catch
Synonyms
STRONGEST
startle
STRONG
ambush bushwhack capture discover grab grasp nab seize take waylay
WEAK
burst in on catch in the act catch off-balance catch off-guard catch red-handed catch unawares come down on drop in on lay for lie in wait spring on take by surprise
Antonyms
STRONG
free give let go liberate lose misunderstand offer release
WEAK
expect

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.

ARK buying might not be a surprise, but it’s still a change from what the fund was doing recently.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Maybe it is not a surprise to see that smaller players trade at lower P/E valuations in an industry dominated by giant companies.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Sean: To surprise us, they made 100 cupcakes with the wrong company logo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

There was also a "surprise visitor" when a "a very chatty parrot who clearly wasn't booked on any flight" landed at the airport in August 2025.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

But to my surprise I saw that he was looking at the soldiers now forming into ranks to march away.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.