Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

“We thought low end of old guidance or maybe $3.2B, so this new guidance is a big surprise, and very nice to see,” Valentini says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The 7 a.m. disclosure revealed that Beretta had, to his surprise, just become Ruger’s largest shareholder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Among them were the purple jacket, corset and dress she wore during her surprise guest appearance with Sabrina Carpenter at the California event on Friday night.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Madonna revealed Monday on social media that the purple jacket, corset and dress she wore Friday during a surprise performance with Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella are missing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Even though Leah praised her sisters in the papers as “the most perfect known mediums,” their arrival in Cleveland had caught Leah entirely by surprise.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing surprise

Emotions on Display

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Commonly Misspelled Words, List 6

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Chapters 1–3

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!