surprisingly

[ ser-prahy-zing-lee, suh- ]

adverb

1. in a way that causes a feeling of wonder or astonishment:

   The artist creates works that are both approachable and surprisingly sophisticated.

2. in a way that is seen as unlikely or unexpected:

   Despite its geographic isolation and small population, Reykjavik is surprisingly cosmopolitan.

   The phone has an impressive array of features, and yet is surprisingly affordable.

Other Words From

• un·sur·pris·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of surprisingly¹

surprising ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

In the United States, especially as infection rates continue to rise, it’s not surprising that teachers are afraid to return to the classroom.

From Washington Post

The stark message from the premier public health agency may not seem surprising given the dire state of the country.

From Ars Technica

So it’s not surprising that mercury has made its way to the deepest reaches of the ocean as well.

From Popular-Science

With a brilliant mathematical mind engaged in unraveling the deepest questions in theoretical physics, it is not surprising that many of Pauli’s dreams had geometric elements and abstract symbols.

From Nautilus

Takeout meals for members have turned out to be a surprising success.

From Washington Post

But Obamacare picked itself up and dusted itself off surprisingly well.

From The Daily Beast

Not surprisingly, many middle and working class voters, particularly whites, have deserted the Democrats in increasing numbers.

From The Daily Beast

Surprisingly Great Hotel - Clean, Tasteful.... and North Korean!

From The Daily Beast

Not surprisingly, rates for recovery vary enormously, from as low as three percent to upwards of 75 percent.

From The Daily Beast

That was challenging physically for me but actually doing Liz and being able to access her is surprisingly is pretty easy.

From The Daily Beast

The adventure had surprisingly followed upon the discovery that Alicia had been quite wrong.

From Project Gutenberg

But he was so surprisingly dexterous with his lips, and feet too, when he was in his cabin that I suppose I put them down to that.

From Project Gutenberg

She preceded him along a passage and then, taking a door on the left, found herself surprisingly in the shop, behind a counter.

From Project Gutenberg

Generally speaking, the hotel accommodations in the provincial towns throughout England and Scotland are surprisingly good.

From Project Gutenberg

Three Americans were killed, seventeen others wounded and four deserters were surprisingly found aboard the "Chesapeake."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absolutely
• awfully
• certainly
• decidedly
• deeply
• eminently
• exceedingly
• excessively
• extraordinarily
• extremely
• greatly
• highly
• incredibly
• noticeably
• particularly
• pretty
• profoundly
• remarkably
• terribly
• truly