Synonyms of surprising

surprising 1 of 2

adjective

sər-ˈprī-ziŋ 

1

as in startling

causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness

the surprising news that they were going to have a baby had them rushing to buy nursery furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• startling
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing
• wonderful
• unexpected
• incredible
• astounding
• awesome
• stupefying
• jolting
• breathtaking
• jarring
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• dumfounding
• jaw-dropping
• miraculous
• unusual
• marvellous
• eye-opening
• extraordinary
• remarkable
• staggering
• awful
• spectacular
• blindsiding
• impressive
• uncommon
• perplexing
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• unlikely
• wondrous
• dismaying
• confusing
• disconcerting
• stupendous
• upsetting
• confounding
• marvelous
• unbelievable
• inconceivable
• noticeable
• sublime
• rare
• sensational
• unthinkable
• phenomenal
• notable
• unimaginable
• prodigious
• incomprehensible
• striking
• bewildering
• outstanding
• portentous
• discomfiting
• befuddling
• unannounced
• fabulous
• conspicuous
• nonplusing
• unwonted
• unique
• heart-stopping
• nonplussing
• flustering
• muddling
• singular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsurprising
• common
• typical
• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• customary
• mundane
• unremarkable
• unexceptional

2

as in astonishing

causing wonder or astonishment

it's surprising how much knowledge of physics the architects of those immense medieval cathedrals must have had

Synonyms & Similar Words

• astonishing
• wonderful
• amazing
• marvellous
• miraculous
• incredible
• stunning
• marvelous
• sublime
• staggering
• extraordinary
• impressive
• awesome
• remarkable
• wondrous
• astounding
• stupendous
• interesting
• spectacular
• unusual
• prodigious
• fabulous
• fascinating
• portentous
• awful
• eye-opening
• exciting
• unbelievable
• inconceivable
• unique
• uncommon
• striking
• unthinkable
• unimaginable
• incomprehensible
• noticeable
• rare
• outstanding
• notable
• enchanting
• attractive
• phenomenal
• charming
• attracting
• conspicuous
• sensational
• enlightening
• unwonted
• entertaining
• alluring
• mind-blowing
• singular
• mind-boggling
• mind-bending
• beguiling
• smashing
• enthralling
• invigorating
• stimulating
• captivating
• energizing
• enlivening
• bewitching
• galvanizing
• animating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unremarkable
• unimpressive
• tedious
• uninteresting
• boring
• typical
• uninspiring
• common
• usual
• ordinary
• monotonous
• normal
• dull
• customary
• tiring
• weary
• wearisome
• mundane
• uninspired
• wearying
• unexceptional
• exhausting
• draining
• fatiguing
• discouraging
• debilitating
• disheartening
• wearing
• jading
• dispiriting
• demoralizing
• enervating
• enfeebling

surprising

2 of 2

verb

variants also surprizing

present participle of surprise

1

as in amazing

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

• amazing
• shocking
• astonishing
• stunning
• startling
• astounding
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• dumfounding
• stupefying
• bewildering
• taking by surprise
• disconcerting
• bowling over
• perplexing
• thunderstriking
• befuddling
• dismaying
• jarring
• rocking
• taking aback
• discomfiting
• nonplussing
• blindsiding
• blowing away
• flooring
• confusing
• confounding
• shaking up
• muddling
• nonplusing
• dazing
• knocking for a loop

2

as in ambushing

to lie in wait for and attack by surprise

FBI agents surprised the counterfeiters in their own base of operations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambushing
• attacking
• capturing
• trapping
• waylaying
• hunting
• ambuscading
• striking
• assaulting
• charging
• tackling
• assailing
• jumping
• storming
• pouncing (on)
• snaring
• mugging
• ensnaring
• preying (on or upon)
• sallying
• stalking
• entrapping
• netting
• mousetrapping

Examples of surprising in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The outfits at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday evening were slightly less surprising. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2024

Here are a few other (maybe) surprising facts about Dungeons & Dragons. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2024

The depth and variety of these options are truly surprising. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

As always, the festival is looking beyond country for some perhaps surprising inclusions, with this year’s offerings featuring sets by Nelly, Sammy Hagar, Backstreet Boys, Creed, Goo Goo Dolls and T-Pain. —Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024