to surprise

Examples

• All

• We go out through the hut, we grab their guns, - we surprise them.

  Rescue Dawn (2007)

• This way, we might be able to surprise them and get closer to the target before encountering resistance.

  Flyboys (2006)

• We surprised a band of smugglers.

  Dune (1984)

• When you hear a grenade explosion, come quickly, we will surprise them.

  The Glory Brigade (1953)

• The White House had hoped to surprise the world with the Taliban at Camp David signing a peace deal.

• Likely fearing the erosion of what little influence he enjoyed, he surprised the Guatemalan military with a shake-up.

  Academic text (2001)

• On May 10, 1775, they climbed sheer walls, surprised the guards, and overcame the fort without a struggle.

  Fiction book (1992)

• After Thunapa departed, Azanaques' men arrived in Orinoca and surprised Wallany in his dwelling.

  Academic text (1999)

• I will surprise her with a special gift on her birthday.

• The players managed to surprise the opponent with their quick strategy.

Synonyms

S

to shock

vsto surprise

202 2.1

To cause someone to feel sudden surprise and distress

is a sudden attack meant to overpower rather than just create emotional distress

S

to strike

vsto surprise

182 4.2

To make a sudden, planned attack on an enemy or target

is sudden too but stresses planning and strategy

J

to jump

vsto surprise

• NSFW

134 6.0

To suddenly attack someone often without warning

is a sudden attack but can be less physical or more varied

S

to startle

vsto surprise

131 3.7

To make someone react suddenly because they feel surprised or afraid

is an attack that aims to harm or defeat not merely cause alarm

T

to take aback

vsto surprise

39 4.2

To surprise someone so much that they do not know what to say

is an attack action that aims to catch unprepared not just cause astonishment

B

to blindside

vsto surprise

27 6.2

To surprise someone without warning so they feel shocked or upset

is a sudden attack mostly focused on physical action not just emotional upset

C

to catch off guard

vsto surprise

15 4.0

To surprise someone so they are not ready to react

is a sudden attack action rather than only causing unpreparedness

S

to stagger

vsto surprise

7 3.8

Surprise someone very much

is a sudden attack that creates vulnerability rather than only amazement

L

to leap out

vsto surprise

3 3.1

To jump out suddenly from a hiding place to surprise someone

is a sudden attack not limited to emerging from hiding

B

to bushwhack

vsto surprise

• Informal

2 9.0

To attack someone suddenly from a hidden place

is a sudden attack that need not come from hiding

Antonyms

W

to warn

∞ 1.0

Tell someone about possible danger so they can be careful

D

to defend

∞ 1.3

To protect people and things from attack or harm

Idioms

W

what a surprise

8 2.6

Words people say when they are surprised to see something

Phrasal Verbs

B

to blow the surprise

• Informal

1 6.5

Tell a secret and spoil a planned surprise

P

to pucker in surprise

6.5

To pull your lips together because you are surprised

Compounds

E

element of surprise

• Informal

22 3.8

A sudden unexpected thing that catches people off guard

S

surprise attack

13 3.5

A sudden action that begins without warning to catch people not ready

B

bleep of surprise

8.5

A short sharp sound someone makes to show surprise

C

chocolate-box surprise

6.1

An unexpected pleasant gift or event that feels like a small box of chocolates

S

surprise birthday event

1.9

A secret party people plan so the birthday person does not know

How Unexpected

ambush

130 5.5

to surprise

111 4.5

raid

373 4.9

Surface Forms

Etymology