Synonyms of surprise
13 similar words · 2 opposite words
Another word for surprise is overtake. Other synonyms of surprise are astonishment, more than one bargained for, unexpected, give one a start and amazement.
Synonyms and similar words for surprise
nounThe feeling that something unexpected has happened.
- astonishmentThe feeling or experience of being astonished; great surprise.
verbTo attack unexpectedly.
- overtakeTo take by surprise; surprise and overcome; carry away.
nounSomething unexpected.
- more than one bargained forAn unexpected and (usually) unwanted result of a decision or action.
nounAttributively: unexpected.
- unexpectedSomeone or something unexpected.
nounStart.
- give one a start
nounMore synonyms
- amazementThe condition of being amazed; a state of overwhelming wonder, as from surprise or sudden fear, horror, or admiration...
- awe
- bewilderment
- flabbergastOverwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise.
- flabbergastationBewildered shock or surprise; the state or condition of being flabbergasted.
- flabbergastmentSynonym of flabbergast (“overwhelming shock or surprise”).
- shockSomething so surprising that it is stunning.
- stupefaction
Opposite of surprise
nounMore antonyms
Meaning of surprise
- noun Something unexpected.
- noun A mess of feces, left by a pet or small child in an unexpected place or at an unexpected time.
- noun The feeling that something unexpected has happened.
surprise in other languages
Questions about synonyms of surprise
- What is another word for surprise?
- Surprise has 13 synonyms on Word.ws, such as overtake, astonishment, more than one bargained for, unexpected, give one a start, amazement, awe and bewilderment.
- What is the opposite of surprise?
- The opposite of surprise is expectation. Other antonyms of surprise are expectancy.
- What does surprise mean?
- Surprise means something unexpected.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: surprise (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of surprise.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/surprise. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.