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Surprised: meaning, definitions and examples

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surprised

 

[səˈpraɪzd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

expression

Feeling or showing surprise because something unexpected happened.

Synonyms

amazed, astonished, shocked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surprised

When something unexpected happens and it catches you off guard, but it's generally neutral or positive.

  • I was surprised to see my friend at the café.
  • She was surprised when she received a birthday card from an old classmate.
astonished

When you are greatly surprised or impressed, often in a very strong way.

  • They were astonished by the news of their promotion.
  • She was astonished to see the incredible view from the top of the mountain.
amazed

When you are extremely impressed by something, often in a positive way.

  • I was amazed by the magician's performance.
  • He was amazed at how quickly she solved the puzzle.
shocked

When something unexpected and often unpleasant happens, causing a strong emotional reaction. Usually carries a negative connotation.

  • He was shocked to hear about the car accident.
  • She was shocked when she found out her friend was moving away.

Examples of usage

  • He looked surprised when he saw me.
  • I was surprised to hear the news.
Context #2 | Verb

reaction

Cause (someone) to feel unexpectedly surprised.

Synonyms

astound, shock, startle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surprised

Used for general situations where someone did not expect something to happen, but it is not necessarily extreme or negative.

  • I was surprised to see him at the party
  • She was surprised by the news
startle

Refers to a sudden and brief surprise, often because something unexpected happened quickly. It can sometimes be associated with fear or alarm.

  • The loud noise from the firework startled the baby
  • He startled her by jumping out from behind the door
shock

Often used for situations where the surprise is very strong and has a negative or unsettling connotation.

  • The sudden news of the disaster shocked everyone
  • I was shocked to hear about the accident
astound

Implies a very high level of surprise, often with a sense of amazement or wonder. Usually used to describe something extraordinary or impressive.

  • His ability to speak five languages astounds me
  • I was astounded by the breathtaking view from the mountain

Examples of usage

  • The news surprised me.
  • Her sudden appearance surprised everyone.

Translations

Translations of the word "surprised" in other languages:

🇵🇹 surpreso

🇮🇳 आश्चर्यचकित (aashcharyachakit)

🇩🇪 überrascht

🇮🇩 terkejut

🇺🇦 здивований

🇵🇱 zaskoczony

🇯🇵 驚いた (odorita)

🇫🇷 surpris

🇪🇸 sorprendido

🇹🇷 şaşırmış

🇰🇷 놀란 (nollan)

🇸🇦 مندهش (mundahish)

🇨🇿 překvapený

🇸🇰 prekvapený

🇨🇳 惊讶的 (jīngyà de)

🇸🇮 presenečen

🇮🇸 hissa

🇰🇿 таңғалған (tañğalğan)

🇬🇪 გაკვირვებული (gak'virvebuli)

🇦🇿 təəccüblənmiş

🇲🇽 sorprendido

Etymology

The word 'surprised' originated from the Middle English term 'surprisen', which meant 'to overtake'. The prefix 'sur-' comes from the Old French word 'sour-' meaning 'over', and 'pris' comes from the Latin 'prehendere' meaning 'to seize'. Over time, the meaning of 'surprised' evolved to its current definition of feeling or showing astonishment or amazement.

See also: surprises, surprising, surprisingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,056, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.