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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.

It made a surprise acquisition in January of a fleet of 100 hospital assistant robots called Moxi that deliver lab samples and supplies inside 25 hospitals.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

It’s the surprise of the NBA playoffs: Philadelphia’s oft-tormented team is suddenly very, very dangerous.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the officer who previously held the post was killed in a wave of sweeping surprise attacks.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Election Commission trends showed Vijay's TVK leading, a surprise result in the state where exit polls suggested Stalin's DMK would return to power.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

She had to fry enough bread so that up to fifty people could have at least two pieces of frybread that evening at E’s surprise birthday party.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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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