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.

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

These events are a reminder of how we are completely taken by surprise, and how such short spaces of time show the limits of traditional warning systems.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

And he vowed to "fight relentlessly" with further strikes that would catch Moscow by surprise.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

The Pentagon abruptly canceled the deployment of an armored brigade to Europe, a major step toward shrinking the U.S. military posture in Europe that caught some military officials by surprise.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Taken by surprise, he lost his balance and fell, remembered the trip wire, and tried to twist his body to avoid it.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz