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

Olivia saving lives by speaking her truth is not surprising to me. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Celebrity support for Harris isn’t surprising given the era’s unignorable class divide. —Armond White, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024

Sean Payton’s team rolls into Week 8 a somewhat surprising 4-3 and as big favorites at home against Carolina. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2024

Melissa Fumero joins the series in what’s being described as a surprising new role. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024