Synonyms for surprise
sərˈpraɪz, sə-

Princeton's WordNet(2.67 / 3 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. surprise(noun)

   the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

   Synonyms:
   surprisal

2. surprise(noun)

   a sudden unexpected event

   Synonyms:
   surprisal

3. surprise, surprisal(verb)

   the act of surprising someone

   Synonyms:
   surprisal

4. surprise(verb)

   cause to be surprised

   "The news really surprised me"

   Synonyms:
   storm

5. surprise(verb)

   come upon or take unawares

   "She surprised the couple"; "He surprised an interesting scene"

   Synonyms:
   storm

6. storm, surprise(verb)

   attack by storm; attack suddenly

   Synonyms:
   rage, force, ramp, storm

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate these synonyms:

1. surprise(noun)

   To undergo or witness something unexpected.

   He doesn't surprise easily.

   Synonyms:
   astonishment

2. surprise(verb)

   To cause surprise.

   Synonyms:
   unexpected

English Synonyms and Antonyms(4.75 / 4 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. surprise

   Amazement and astonishment both express the momentary overwhelming of the mind by that which is beyond expectation. Astonishment especially affects the emotions, amazement the intellect. Awe is the yielding of the mind to something supremely grand in character or formidable in power, and ranges from apprehension or dread to reverent worship. Admiration includes delight and regard. Surprise lies midway between astonishment and amazement, and usually respects matters of lighter consequence or such as are less startling in character. Amazement may be either pleasing or painful, as when induced by the grandeur of the mountains, or by the fury of the storm. We can say pleased surprise, but scarcely pleased astonishment. Amazement has in it something of confusion or bewilderment; but confusion and bewilderment may occur without amazement, as when a multitude of details require instant attention. Astonishment may be without bewilderment or confusion. Wonder is often pleasing, and may be continuous in view of that which surpasses our comprehension; as, the magnitude, order, and beauty of the heavens fill us with increasing wonder. Compare PERPLEXITY.

   Synonyms:
   admiration, amazement, astonishment, awe, bewilderment, confusion, perplexity, wonder

   Antonyms:
   anticipation, calmness, composure, coolness, expectation, indifference, preparation, self-possession, steadiness, stoicism

   Preposition:
   I was filled with amazement at such reckless daring.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms(3.27 / 11 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. surprise

   Synonyms:
   startle, astonish, alarm, amaze, confuse

   Antonyms:
   prepare, premonish, forewarn

Editors Contribution(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate these synonyms:

1. lawks

   Submitted by anonymous on December 20, 2020  

2. unexpected gift

   an unexpected gift

   the surprise was a brand new phone

   Submitted by allisonmariegraham27 on April 9, 2019  

Dictionary of English Synonymes(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate these synonyms:

1. surprise(n.)

   Synonyms:
   wonder, astonishment, amazement, admiration

2. surprise(v. a.)

   Synonyms:
   take unawares, take by surprise, take off one's guard

3. surprise(v. a.)

   Synonyms:
   astonish, amaze, startle, strike with wonder, take aback

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. surprise(n)

   Synonyms:
   amazement, astonishment

2. surprise(v)

   Synonyms:
   amaze, astonish, astound

PPDB, the paraphrase database(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate these paraphrases:

1. List of paraphrases for "surprise":

   surprised, astonishment, sudden, amazement, surprises, surprlse, -surprise, short-notice, amaze, unexpected, wonder, surprising, blitz, stuns

How to pronounce surprise?

How to say surprise in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use surprise in a sentence?

1. Joaquin Oliver:

   It didn't surprise me and it cannot surprise anyone because we have done so little to stop this from happening.

2. Aaron McQ:

   I'm not wanting to die, i'm very much alive, yet I'm suffering. And I would rather have it not be a surprise.

3. John Miller:

   The heave-ho of everyone getting through -- you have Oath Keepers next to Proud Boys next to white supremacists, that's what makes this a dangerous time, the movement is energized and Proud Boys're emboldened by surprise success on [ January ] 6th. I think Proud Boys're surprised. Proud Boys didn't plan to Nth degree, and to be able to breach the pillar of democracy, that's going to motivate Proud Boys.

4. The Italian photographer Majoli:

   The picture is (taken) in a bar that is literally 100 meters from one of the places (that was attacked), actually, it was a surprise that it was open -- the bar. People were standing outside, having their brunch or whatever, and literally 100 meters (about 330 feet) away, eight hours before, 18 people (were) being killed.

5. Matias Walker:

   It took us by surprise and we regret it very much.

Images & Illustrations of surprise