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.

Even though Leah praised her sisters in the papers as “the most perfect known mediums,” their arrival in Cleveland had caught Leah entirely by surprise.

From Literature

This took Handsome completely by surprise, causing him to lose his balance again.

From Literature

Capt. David Skarosi, the Ford’s commanding officer, acknowledged what he called the “sting” of the additional extension, adding it caught even him by surprise.

From The Wall Street Journal

The action by the police on a winter's morning in Norfolk was remarkable breaking news - and also appears to have taken the King by surprise as much as anyone else.

From BBC

Watts’ Jackie delivers a moving speech or two about what families like the Kennedys owe to the public, but beyond that, the only turn that took me by surprise within the first two episodes is the unexpected death of a pet.

From Salon