surprise
verb (used with object)
to strike or occur to with a sudden feeling of wonder or astonishment, as through unexpectedness.
was surprising
-
past progressiveof surprise.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
For a Rangers side crying out for attacking guile and inventiveness on the flanks, Curtis being limited to just eight minutes in their Premiership opener against United was surprising.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
"The fact that we found it here in one-third of our coyotes was surprising, because it wasn't found anywhere in the Pacific Northwest until earlier this year."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026
After unleashing a superb backhand winner from an acute angle off the court, she broke into a broad grin and spread her arms out in a gesture that suggested she was surprising even herself.
From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026
“It was surprising because I was honestly trying for line drives the opposite way,” Madrid said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026
Considering that Corky knew this friend, loved this friend, had earlier been asleep in this friend’s own lap, the growl was surprising, to say the least.
From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen
