surprise

In Syria, Iranian forces launched "a surprise attack on the enemy special operations command centre in the Al-Tanf region", according to a Guards statement carried by state media.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

There may be some surprise at his exit from government as Benn had just started talks with the Stormont parties and treasury officials in a bid to agree a multi-year budget after months of stalemate.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Sunderland were among the Premier League clubs with the highest number of players participating at the World Cup and it is no surprise given they secured European football last season.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

They’re more drawn to stories told by an authentic, recognizable filmmaker with a point of view, like Curry Barker, director of the surprise horror blockbuster “Obsession.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

And Father’s face would light up with a kind of pleased surprise as it always did on those rare occasions when he thought about the business side of watchmaking.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

The expansion to 48 teams and 104 games, meanwhile, made room for a number of surprises that gave the tournament its life and sparkle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The result is a level of tameness that often surprises visitors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Such negativity may allow for the market to jump on positive surprises.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

That’s a polite way of saying there were few major category surprises — and I realize many “Heated Rivalry” fans may find offensive.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Three: Life was full of surprises, and not all of them were good.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Syrskiy on Monday said he was surprised to hear Fedorov’s account, posting a lengthy rebuttal where he defended his record.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

“It seems people were surprised that, alongside talent and brilliance, good people can also play the game,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The honorary research fellow at Cardiff University said he was not surprised that young people who grew up in an environment where your actions end up online have altered behaviour.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

In 1995, when he was asked to lecture about childhood as depicted in 18th-century British art, what surprised him was all the dogs pictured among the children.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Torak was surprised to find himself wondering if it was all right.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

“It highlights what the supply chains look like, which might be surprising to some people.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

Perhaps just as surprising was Trump's lack of attendance at games throughout the tournament.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Given the way things are trending, none of that would be entirely surprising.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

Tan, who said she keeps an "open mind" about the supernatural, said it was not surprising when people seek spiritual explanations for something they cannot readily define.

From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026

This should not be surprising, given the Eyewash Incident and the Stolen Turtle Incident, but it’s still annoying.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller