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surprises

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.

There were very few surprises when England's World Cup squad was announced on Friday morning.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Wait till the latter toot off their tops, as each of the 100 new puppets is full of surprises.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

"This is a book that surprises and isn't perhaps what it seems like on the surface," said chair of the judges Natasha Brown.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Even before fully driverless cars arrive, this growing communication between vehicles and infrastructure will make driving safer and less stressful, reducing surprises and smoothing traffic flow.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Three: Life was full of surprises, and not all of them were good.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles