Synonyms for surprise

Synonyms for (noun) surprise

Synonyms: surprisal, surprise

Definition: the act of surprising someone

Similar words: disruption, perturbation

Definition: the act of causing disorder


Synonyms: surprise

Definition: a sudden unexpected event

Similar words: change, modification, alteration

Definition: an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

Usage: the change was intended to increase sales; this storm is certainly a change for the worse; the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago


Synonyms: surprise

Definition: the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

Similar words: amazement, astonishment

Definition: the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

Usage: he looked at me in astonishment


Synonyms for (verb) surprise

Synonyms: surprise

Definition: cause to be surprised

Usage: The news really surprised me

Similar words: affect, strike, move, impress

Definition: have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

Usage: This child impressed me as unusually mature; This behavior struck me as odd


Synonyms: storm, surprise

Definition: attack by storm; attack suddenly

Similar words: assail, attack

Definition: launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

Usage: Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II; Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week


Synonyms: surprise

Definition: come upon or take unawares

Usage: She surprised the couple; He surprised an interesting scene

Similar words: move, act

Definition: perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

Usage: think before you act; We must move quickly; The governor should act on the new energy bill; The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel


Visual thesaurus for surprise