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

The first official data in weeks on the US job market is out, and it showed a surprising pick-up in hiring after a lacklustre summer.

Read more on BBC

The answer to the bubbles mystery turned out to be far from interesting or surprising.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The offensive line has shuffled positions with surprising success, and Miller has exceeded all expectations, earning a place in USC’s future plans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But for many of us, there can be some surprising signals—like a flashing yellow traffic light inside your head.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But in a surprising turnaround, Google’s Gemini offering steadily gained traction, in part due to the launch of image editor Nano Banana.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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