surprises 1 of 2

noun

variants also surprizes
plural of surprise
1
as in shocks
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
2
as in amazements
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual stared in utter surprise at the deer in his cabin

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ambushes
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

surprises

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizes
present tense third-person singular of surprise
1
as in amazes
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
2
as in attacks
to lie in wait for and attack by surprise FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 surprises
Noun
The anniversary program will run throughout the season, with customer events, competitions, limited-edition products, dedicated window installations, new content, special offers and more surprises to come. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 No surprises among the specialists, in other words — and considering how well the trio executed last season and this summer, that’s a good thing. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 The opening weekend of high school football provided some thrills and surprises. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Rooms are spacious by Tokyo standards and reliably comfortable, with the service consistency that makes Marriott a default for travelers who don't want any (unpleasant) surprises. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Red velvet cake, but no happy surprises Cristi McGarey’s family often worries about the impact of what has felt like an unending deployment on her 22-year-old son. — Chris Quintana, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 My clients have found this to be a very effective strategy to ensure there are no surprises, big disappointments or overwhelming, stressful situations that then lead to disgruntled feelings for both the owner and staff. — Hanneke Antonelli, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Reed has been one of the surprises of camp, with touchdown catches in the first two games. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Sly [Stallone] is in great form in the show, and there’s going to be some surprises. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Vintage Lighting Lighting is another one that surprises people, Gruver says. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026 But the 'people's RV maker' often surprises with its annual Caravan Salon slate. — New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Tight end Tyler Fortenberry said Rogers' prediction surprises no one on the team. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Advertisement Mosquitoes transmit heartworm disease, a connection Markowski says surprises many dog owners. — Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 Therapists also suggest talking honestly about debt, credit and any financial obligations one partner is bringing into the relationship, so nothing surprises the other person after the boxes are unpacked. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026 In my experience, what surprises visitors most is Kyoto’s ability to turn seasonality into an almost theatrical experience. — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Khloé Kardashian surprises fans at her local Los Angeles Costco to celebrate her new protein popcorn, Khloud, being available in the supermarket chain on July 26. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 What surprises me, actually, is – not surprises me, but what gratifies me is that Iranian attacks have been – not been larger or more capable. — CBS News, 12 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surprises
  1. shocks
  2. astonishments
  3. ambushes
  4. amazes
  5. attacks
  6. jolts
  7. traps
  8. stuns
Noun
  • And the who, what and why of the vengeful spirit is the narrative pull of the play — along with the tense anticipation of more revelations, suspicions and shocks.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Under current law, the President has the flexibility to order a limited drawdown, releasing up to 30 million barrels over a 60-day period, to mitigate sudden supply shocks without declaring a full-scale national emergency.
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocks
Noun
  • The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of astonishments
Noun
  • Social Media Capture The underlying tactic is not new, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces having previously used armed FPV drones to conduct roadside ambushes.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Stassi is no stranger to an ambush; one of her most iconic Vanderpump Rules scenes remains one of the best ambushes reality TV’s ever seen.
    — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambushes
Verb
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • This technology still amazes me.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Definition of amazes
Verb
  • The hydrogen peroxide treatment then attacks the remaining dye-cotton linkages and removes residual color.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The stories of two high schoolers, Jules and Quinn, entwine on May 1, the day a serial killer attacks one of them.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of attacks
Noun
  • There are no lyrics, no mixing inconsistencies, no jolts of experimental hiss.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • Additional jolts of sophistication come courtesy of a custom Area Environments wall covering, a gold mirror from Made Goods, Jiun Ho sconces, and German photographer Ellen von Unwerth’s black and white snapshot of a carefree Naomi Campbell.
    — Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026
Definition of jolts
Noun
  • The team is analyzing microplastics painstakingly collected from plants, rocks, water samples and sticky traps erected along the shoreline.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This kit makes both jobs simple with tools for cleaning up to 15-foot vents with flexible rods, specialty brushes that fit inside lint traps, and tweezers to reach into all the nooks and crannies.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of traps
Verb
  • Designed by architect Bart Prince, this sculptural spot stuns with floor-to-ceiling windows and six viewing decks with impressive vistas of the Sandia Mountains.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Paula Abdul stuns in neon orange for The Hollywood Reporter’s A-list Aesthetics event at Hotel Bel-Air on July 15 in Los Angeles.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of stuns

Browse Nearby Words

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surprises
surprising
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Cite this Entry

“Surprises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surprises. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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