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
Leaving an area undisturbed until the day of the hunt, which enhances the element of surprise.
—
Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Find one of the guys who mugged you, corner him in a bathroom, and promptly get your nose broken
Photo: Columbia Pictures
In his final run-in with Lew, Charlie brilliantly deploys the element of surprise and sneaks up behind him in a bathroom.
—Chris Stanton, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2024
Yes, the element of surprise and the force of this breaching event can lead to the capture of their prey.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Adding to the difficulty, as over two years of war have shown, larger offensives are extremely difficult in the face of prepared defenses, especially now that drones and other surveillance technologies reduce the element of surprise for both sides.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024
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Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Find one of the guys who mugged you, corner him in a bathroom, and promptly get your nose broken
Photo: Columbia Pictures
In his final run-in with Lew, Charlie brilliantly deploys the element of surprise and sneaks up behind him in a bathroom.
—Chris Stanton, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2024
Yes, the element of surprise and the force of this breaching event can lead to the capture of their prey.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Adding to the difficulty, as over two years of war have shown, larger offensives are extremely difficult in the face of prepared defenses, especially now that drones and other surveillance technologies reduce the element of surprise for both sides.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for element of surprise
Dictionary Entries Near element of surprise
Cite this Entry
“Element of surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element%20of%20surprise. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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