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.
Surprisingly, Sandisk shares were on pace to end the week 3.3% lower after their 22% jump on Thursday from Micron’s quarterly numbers.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
Surprisingly, Bill Clinton - a Democratic Party president - also asked the driest of monetarists to stay on in post.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
Surprisingly, this was Ms. Josefowicz’s first Ojai Festival, her debut on the Libbey Bowl stage having come the day before, proffering Mr. Adams’s rollicking “Road Movies” with her frequent musical partner John Novacek on piano.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
Surprisingly, there are only a handful of passages in the Bible that are directly about twins.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
Surprisingly, all of the other boys had gotten off without punishment.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
