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.

Journalists love to find surprises and unconventional angles, so I aimed to go down to the fair and find something unexpected.

From Slate • Jul. 1, 2026

“In general, this likely means less anchoring of expectations, more volatility in front-end rates, and a higher probability of policy surprises in either direction,” Pimco economist Tiffany Wilding wrote this week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

More than 70% logged better-than-expected sales, and with operating leverage returning to normalized levels postpandemic, sales beats are once again becoming a more reliable indicator of upside earnings surprises.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

"Speeding up homebuying isn't just about convenience - it's about helping more people complete their purchases with less frustration and fewer surprises along the way," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

More surprises were on their way, and the other seabirds came flying around the corner.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown