surprisingly
Americanadverb
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in a way that causes a feeling of wonder or astonishment.
The artist creates works that are both approachable and surprisingly sophisticated.
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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 Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of surprisingly
Explanation
When something happens in a way that amazes you, use the adverb surprisingly, like when you find the kids at your new school to be surprisingly friendly. If a situation is surprising, it is completely unexpected — and you can say that it happens surprisingly. You might discover that the day is surprisingly warm, and you don't need your furry hat after all; or you may realize that college is surprisingly difficult after you breezed through high school. The French root word is surprise, "a taking unawares," which comes from surprendre, "to overtake." Surprisingly is surprisingly old, dating from the 1600's.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps surprisingly, there’s also a way Marie could move that would actually increase fire weather danger before the rain arrives.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
One involves observations of surprisingly massive black holes that already existed when the Universe was young.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026
Yet geopolitics, perhaps surprisingly, has been largely absent from Iceland's public debate.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
While used-home sales make up a much larger share of the U.S. property market, the surprisingly large drop suggested rising mortgage rates were taking a greater toll on market activity than previously recognized.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
It was also good, and surprisingly comforting, to have their company.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
