Variant: also surprize
Function: verb
Inflected Form: sur · prised also sur · prized ; sur · pris · ing also sur · priz · ing
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to attack unexpectedly also : to capture by an unexpected attack
2 a : to take unawares <police surprised the burglars in the store> b : to detect or elicit by a taking unawares <sometimes surprised a tragic shadow in her eyes ― Willa Cather>
3 : to strike with wonder or amazement especially because unexpected <his conduct surprised me>
intransitive verb : to cause astonishment or surprise <her success didn't surprise >
– sur · pris · er noun
synonyms SURPRISE , ASTONISH , ASTOUND , AMAZE , FLABBERGAST mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. SURPRISE stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel < surprised to find them at home>. ASTONISH implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible <a discovery that astonished the world>. ASTOUND stresses the shock of astonishment <too astounded to respond>. AMAZE suggests an effect of bewilderment < amazed by the immense size of the place>. FLABBERGAST may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay < flabbergasted by his angry refusal>.