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(4.67 / 3 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(3.20 / 10 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. unexpected gift

   an unexpected gift

   the surprise was a brand new phone

   Submitted by allisonmariegraham27 on April 9, 2019  

Dictionary of English Synonymes(0.00 / 0 votes)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(0.00 / 0 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 synonyms:

1. List of paraphrases:

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

How to pronounce surprise?

Alex

US English

Daniel

British

Karen

Australian

Veena

Indian

How to say surprise in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use surprise in a sentence?

1. Tim Osborne:

   We will appeal this surprise decision by The Hague Court and have full faith that the rule of law and justice will ultimately prevail.

2. Mushiraya Farah:

   Asim used to go out and study, like other little boys. It was a surprise when he started falling while walking. The doctors carried out tests and told me there's nothing wrong with him.

3. David Heymann:

   It doesn't surprise me that in Liberia where there has been a much more intense Ebola information campaign, quarantine and a military intervention that the disease has been brought under control faster than in Guinea.

4. Oliver Hotham:

   Many North Korea watchers had assumed that Kim Kyong Hui had gone into exile or even killed in the wake of her husband's death, so to see her pop up by the leader's side some six years later is certainly a surprise.

5. Gary Becket:

   Hopefully this will be over soon and they will return safely, it is a surprise to both families that this has happened and their only concern is their safety. We want to talk to [Morgan] of course about what happened, but more importantly we want them to come home.

Images & Illustrations of surprise