verb
1.
to attack unawares
hijackers surprised the truck driver and took his cargo
Synonyms: ambush, lay (for), waylay
Related Word: bushwhack, dry-gulch; capture, catch; grab, grasp, seize, take
2.
to impress forcibly through unexpectedness, startlingness, or unusualness
was surprised by his violent jealousy
Synonyms: amaze, astonish, astound, dumbfound, flabbergast
Related Word: startle; bewilder, confound, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, nonplus, ||swan; faze, rattle, rock; bowl (over), floor, stagger; stun, stupefy
Idioms: leave open-mouthed ( or aghast), take aback ( or by surprise)