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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.

In 2024, Palvin walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and during a backstage interview said that Sprouse always has something up his sleeve to surprise her.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

It was a good night for episodic superhero adventure Dispatch, which was a surprise smash hit when it launched last year.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Perhaps the most jarring surprise for crypto fans is that the most pro-crypto president the market could hope for has done little to help prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

As a fragile cease-fire holds in the Middle East and AI disruption fears fade, investors are finding a surprise safe harbor in everything from semiconductors to enterprise software.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The flies had taken her beyond control and when she saw me her eyes opened wide in surprise, then seemed to narrow in cold rage.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

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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