surprisingly

adverb

sur·​pris·​ing·​ly sər-ˈprī-ziŋ-lē How to pronounce surprisingly (audio)
sə-
Synonyms of surprisinglynext
1
: in a surprising manner : to a surprising degree
a surprisingly fast runner
2
: it is surprising that
surprisingly, voter turnout was high

Examples of surprisingly 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.
The Gouda variety has a surprisingly smoky richness that pairs with the chicken base, but Hot Honey has become the office favorite for its balance of sweetness and heat. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026 But, surprisingly enough, Lauer has become a successful starter for the Dodgers, who quickly moved him back to starting games after the Blue Jays’ demotion. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 My favorite, Mac Matte Lipstick, combines vibrant pigmentation and long-lasting, non-drying coverage at a surprisingly reasonable price. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 It’s not meant to reproduce ancient Greek oratory tradition, just to evoke some sense of it, and the device is surprisingly effective. — ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surprisingly

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of surprisingly was in 1661

Rhymes for surprisingly

See All Rhymes for surprisingly

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Surprisingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surprisingly. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

surprisingly

adverb
sur·​pris·​ing·​ly -lē How to pronounce surprisingly (audio)
1
: in a surprising manner : to a surprising degree
a surprisingly fast runner
2
: it is surprising that
surprisingly, no one disagreed

More from Merriam-Webster on surprisingly

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surprisingly

Nglish: Translation of surprisingly for Spanish Speakers

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