Surprise
[sə'praɪz] or [sɚ'praɪz]
Definition
(noun.) the act of surprising someone.
(noun.) a sudden unexpected event.
(noun.) the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you.
(verb.) cause to be surprised; 'The news really surprised me'.
(verb.) come upon or take unawares; 'She surprised the couple'; 'He surprised an interesting scene'.
Checked by Karol--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.
(n.) The state of being surprised, or taken unawares, by some act or event which could not reasonably be foreseen; emotion excited by what is sudden and strange; a suddenly excited feeling of wonder or astonishment.
(n.) Anything that causes such a state or emotion.
(n.) A dish covered with a crust of raised paste, but with no other contents.
(n.) To come or fall suddenly and unexpectedly; to take unawares; to seize or capture by unexpected attack.
(n.) To strike with wonder, astonishment, or confusion, by something sudden, unexpected, or remarkable; to confound; as, his conduct surprised me.
(n.) To lead (one) to do suddenly and without forethought; to bring (one) into some unexpected state; -- with into; as, to be surprised into an indiscretion; to be surprised into generosity.
(n.) To hold possession of; to hold.
Typed by Dido
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Wonder, astonishment, amazement, admiration.
v. a. [1]. Take unawares, take by surprise, take off one's guard.[2]. Astonish, amaze, startle, strike with wonder, take aback.
Edited by Leopold
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Startle, astonish, alarm, amaze, confuse
ANT:Prepare, premonish, forewarn
Checked by Godiva
Definition
n. act of taking unawares: the emotion caused by anything sudden: amazement.—v.t. to come upon suddenly or unawares: to lead or bring unawares to betray (with into): to strike with wonder or astonishment: to confuse.—n. Surprīs′al act of surprising.—adv. Surprīs′edly.—adj. Surprīs′ing exciting surprise: wonderful: unexpected.—adv. Surprīs′ingly.—n. Surprīs′ingness.
Checker: Rene
Examples
- I could tell you a story about that same uncle, gentlemen, that would rather surprise you. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The Unquenchables had done their best to be worthy of the name, for like elves they had worked by night and conjured up a comical surprise. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- It was a surprise: they had not expected the Englishwoman would play in a _vaudeville_. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- To her surprise, Trenor answered the look with a speechless stare. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Expressions of incredulity and surprise, which he could not repress, interrupted me several times before I had done. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- They had told her that her aunt Shaw was coming; but she had not expressed either surprise or pleasure, or dislike to the idea. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Somewhat to her surprise, Sir Philip followed her advice to the letter, and actually, towards the close of September, arrived at the priory. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- She had been surprised at first, because she had not thought Edmund a marrying man. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She was rather surprised at Dr. Donaldson's early visit, and perplexed by the anxious faces of husband and child. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- More than once I have surprised her in tears. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- I should not be surprised, said Darcy, if he were to give it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Tom looked surprised, and rather hurt, and said, I never drink, Mas'r. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- But you can imagine how surprised I was, Mr. Holmes, when, on my return on the Monday, I saw the same man on the same stretch of road. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- The Confederates were surprised to find our cavalry had possession of the trains. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- They have the strangest knack of startling you with unpleasant surprises. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- My tone surprises you--ha? Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Have you any more surprises in store? Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- It surprises me sometimes to think how much we do know and how intelligent we are. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- With these he was able to intrench his men and protect them against surprises by small parties of the enemy. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- It surprises me to find that I can recall it, for it seemed to make no impression on me as it passed. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I always keep my conscience as tight shut up as a jack-in-a-box, for when it jumps into existence it surprises me by its size. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- By accident the noose fell squarely about the running ape's neck, bringing him to a sudden and surprising halt. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- The tea had a surprising effect in making him stupid; because it made him sober. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- This perhaps was not altogether surprising. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- It is not surprising that so many political inventions have been made within these movements, fostered by them, and brought to a general public notice through their efforts. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Knew him, and--more surprising still--FEARED him as well! Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I tried to explain, it was so very simple, but the results were so surprising they made up their minds probably that they never would understand it--and they didn't. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Hence it is not surprising that men have not recognized its full scope. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
Checker: Mario