surprise
16 synonyms and 2 antonyms for surprise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something unexpected, or the feeling caused by it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use surprise
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French surprendre ("to overtake"), from sur- ("over") + prendre ("to take"), from Latin prehendere ("to grasp, seize").
Full origin of surprise →Frequently asked questions
What does “surprise” mean?
The word “surprise” means something unexpected, or the feeling caused by it. In plain terms, something unexpected, the feeling it causes, or the act of causing that feeling.
How do you pronounce “surprise”?
“Surprise” is pronounced suh-PRYZ (/sə(ː)ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ in IPA).
How do you use “surprise” in a sentence?
Here is “surprise” used in a sentence: “The party was a total surprise to her.”
What is another word for “surprise”?
Words with a similar meaning to “surprise” include more than one bargained for, unexpected, give one a start, amazement, awe and bewilderment.
What is the opposite of “surprise”?
The opposite of “surprise” — its antonyms — are expectancy and expectation.
What part of speech is “surprise”?
Depending on how it is used, “surprise” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “surprise” come from?
The word “surprise” comes from Latin. From Old French surprendre ("to overtake"), from sur- ("over") + prendre ("to take"), from Latin prehendere ("to grasp, seize").
Is “surprise” a common word?
“Surprise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between surprise and shock?
Both come from something unexpected, but they differ in intensity and tone. Surprise is milder and can be pleasant or neutral — a surprise party, a surprise gift. Shock is stronger and usually negative or distressing, often overwhelming the person. All shocks are surprising, but not every surprise rises to a shock.
Is surprise a positive or negative emotion?
Surprise is neutral by nature — it simply marks something unexpected. It can turn pleasant, like an unexpected reunion, or unpleasant, like a sudden bill. Psychologists often list it among the basic emotions precisely because it can tip either way, coloring quickly into joy, fear, or relief depending on what follows.
What are the types of surprise?
Surprises are often grouped by feeling: pleasant surprises (a gift, good news), unpleasant ones (a setback, bad news), and neutral ones that simply catch you off guard. The word also names planned events, like a surprise party, and can describe the emotion itself, the cause of it, or an unexpected act.
What is the opposite of surprise?
The opposite depends on the sense. As a feeling, the opposite is expectation or anticipation — knowing what's coming. As a quality, something predictable, foreseen, or unremarkable is the reverse of a surprise. Where a surprise catches you off guard, its opposite is anything you already saw coming.