surprising

/səˈpɹaɪzɪŋ//səˈpɹaɪzɪŋ/
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Word Statistics

Difficulty LevelAdvanced

Academic vocabulary

Word FrequencyCommon

Regularly used in writing and speech

Syllables3

Moderate complexity

Analysis:

  • Academic vocabulary
  • Standard complexity

verb

1. To cause (someone) to feel unusually alarmed or delighted by something unexpected.

"It surprises me that I owe twice as much as I thought I did."

2. To do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise.

"He doesn’t know that I’m in the country – I thought I’d turn up at his house and surprise him."

3. To undergo or witness something unexpected.

"He doesn’t surprise easily."

4. To cause surprise.

5. To attack unexpectedly.

6. To take unawares.

Synonyms

noun

1. A situation in which somebody is surprised.

adjective

1. Causing surprise.

"A surprising number of people attended the rally."

Synonyms

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