Thesaurus results for SURPRISE

Q: How does the verb 'surprise' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of surprise are amaze , astonish , astound , and flabbergast . While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel. // surprised to find them at home

Q: Where would 'amaze' be a reasonable alternative to 'surprise'?

The meanings of amaze and surprise largely overlap; however, amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment. // amazed by the immense size of the place

Q: When is it sensible to use 'astonish' instead of 'surprise'?

While the synonyms astonish and surprise are close in meaning, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible. // a discovery that astonished the world

Q: When is 'astound' a more appropriate choice than 'surprise'?

The words astound and surprise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, astound stresses the shock of astonishment. // too astounded to respond

Q: When might 'flabbergast' be a better fit than 'surprise'?

In some situations, the words flabbergast and surprise are roughly equivalent. However, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay. // flabbergasted by his angry refusal

surprise 1 of 2

noun

sər-ˈprīz

variants also surprize

Definition of surprise

as in shock

something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected the anniversary party was such a complete surprise that the couple was speechless for a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in astonishment

the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in ambush

a setup in which hidden attackers lie in wait waited under cover of darkness and took the enemy encampment by surprise at dawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

surprise

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprize

as in to amaze

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected I was very surprised when my parents offered to pay the down payment on our house

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to ambush

to lie in wait for and attack by surprise FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb surprise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of surprise are amaze, astonish, astound, and flabbergast. While all these words mean "to impress forcibly through unexpectedness," surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel.

surprised to find them at home

Where would amaze be a reasonable alternative to surprise?

The meanings of amaze and surprise largely overlap; however, amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment.

amazed by the immense size of the place

When is it sensible to use astonish instead of surprise?

While the synonyms astonish and surprise are close in meaning, astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible.

a discovery that astonished the world

When is astound a more appropriate choice than surprise?

The words astound and surprise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, astound stresses the shock of astonishment.

too astounded to respond

When might flabbergast be a better fit than surprise?

In some situations, the words flabbergast and surprise are roughly equivalent. However, flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

flabbergasted by his angry refusal

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of surprise

Noun

There are no major surprises among the execs, who all report into Bassetti. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 The wild outdoors were no surprise for the Pocatello couple, who met while running. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

True to form, the actress kept the rest of the outfit pared back, but surprised in the accessories department. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 Iran’s retaliation should surprise no one, said Dan Pickering, founder and chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surprise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprise

Noun

While Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis may have come as a shock to Catholics this week, the prognosis is likely a lot less scary.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
The initial shock of this freak accident is well-handled, notably when Jay tries to scramble up the whale’s jawline by climbing its teeth.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of shock

Noun

Using that information to inform computer models, the scientists found that mosasaurs were skilled ambush predators built for a quick sneak attack.

— October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
A couple of years later, in his major studio debut, Abrams worked alongside Ryan Gosling in Gangster Squad until his shoeshine boy character caught a bullet during a mob ambush near a newsstand.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambush

Verb

Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
Electrons can then leak out of the chain, bonding with oxygen in the wrong parts of the mitochondria to form highly reactive free radicals that attack and deform neighboring molecules.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

In August of 2022, for example, more than a dozen people were injured after experiencing a violent jolt during the ride, according to court filings and state records reviewed by CNN.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Majidi’s victory on Thursday night also gives Midday Meal an instantaneous jolt of Oscars buzz.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of jolt

Noun

To the continued amazement of advantage players, casino operatives can argue with apparent conviction that card counting— essentially mental arithmetic—is a form of fraud.

— Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
No harsh chemicals for her, much to the amazement and envy of her Ghanaian classmates.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of amazement

Verb

View gallery - 7 images Chinese automotive giant BYD, now the world’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) maker, stunned this week’s Paris Motor Show with its grandest and most technologically impressive vehicle yet.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
The man was arrested and sent to prison while Ali was in college, which left the actor stunned.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stun

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surpluses

surprise

surprised

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Style

“Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprise. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of surprise

noun

verb

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Example Sentences

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Synonyms of surprise

noun

verb

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Example Sentences

Phrases Containing surprise

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