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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.

I want to ask about something that’s a happy surprise for the band.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

In a sign of how well things are going for Amazon across almost all its business segments, the company’s surprise box-office hit, “Project Hail Mary” brought in nearly $615 million in global ticket sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

That day will arrive, but it would be a big surprise if it comes today.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

So it’s no surprise that the role at the top of Indeed’s 2026 index of the best jobs in the U.S. falls within the sector.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

To his surprise, it was elderberry juice: tart and strengthening.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Vocabulary lists containing surprise

Emotions on Display

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Commonly Misspelled Words, List 6

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"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Chapters 1–3

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