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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.

The question seemed to take him by surprise.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

“The Iranian’s figure Trump is setting them up for another surprise attack. They might be right,” said Ed Yardeni, founder and president of Yardeni Research.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

“We thought low end of old guidance or maybe $3.2B, so this new guidance is a big surprise, and very nice to see,” Valentini says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The charity said it was a "very pleasant surprise" because it was not expecting such a high count.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

But to his surprise, Wolf leapt up as if he’d been stung by a hornet.

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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