surprises

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.

Wilde navigates the tonal shifts with authority, delivering surprises along the way, including an ending that somehow delivers hope for the institution of wedlock.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Companies that could report earnings surprises show a particular trading pattern of implied volatility heading into the earnings.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

This earnings season’s big winners include makers of AI-oriented hardware, but the list also includes some surprises.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

But with little progress on the issues festering and so much riding on their relationship, any reprieve could be temporary—and the space for surprises large.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“Mission,” she says, which surprises me, because that’s where I go.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman