element of surprise

noun phrase

: the unexpected or surprising character of something
The attackers were relying on the element of surprise.

Examples of element of surprise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Manchester United were considered the frontrunners for his signature so there was an element of surprise when Spurs emerged victorious. Thom Harris, New York Times, 31 July 2026 In addition, this operation benefited from the element of surprise, as the Russian soldiers were unprepared for a coordinated assault involving armed ground robots. Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Preston says guests appreciate the element of surprise—and not having to make a single decision for four hours. Chadner Navarro, Robb Report, 9 July 2026 Miniso aims to bring the element of surprise to each visit, according to its website, combining new arrivals with seasonal good and exclusive collaborations. Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for element of surprise

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Element of surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element%20of%20surprise. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster