surprising

[ser-prahy-zing, suh-]

adjective

1. causing surprise, wonder, or astonishment.

2. unexpected.

surprising

/ səˈpraɪzɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing surprise; unexpected or amazing

Other Word Forms

• surprisingly adverb
• unsurprising adjective
• surprisingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of surprising¹

First recorded in 1570–80; surprise + -ing ²

Example Sentences

When researchers at the University of Gothenburg analyzed the object using isotopic and chemical methods, the results were surprising.

Read more on Science Daily

It wasn’t surprising to see complaints about the agreement from labor groups and other economic isolationists.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Toner-Rodgers’s work offered a surprising and even hopeful revelation about our high-tech future.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But in a surprising move, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta declined to rule on the motion Friday, because the case is currently under the jurisdiction of the California Supreme Court.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s hardly surprising that there’s a strong market for books and articles claiming to demystify the painting’s creator, even though not much is definitively known about the Italian polymath.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amazing 
• astonishing 
• extraordinary 
• remarkable 
• shocking 
• startling 
• stunning 
• sudden 
• unanticipated 
• unforeseen 
• unpredictable 
• wonderful