Surprisingly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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surprisingly

[sษ™หˆpraษชzษชล‹li ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in a surprising manner

In a way that causes someone to feel surprised by being unexpected or unusual.

Synonyms

amazingly, astonishingly, remarkably, unexpectedly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surprisingly

Use 'surprisingly' when something happens in a way that is not expected, often with a mild level of surprise.

  • Surprisingly, she remembered my birthday this year.
  • The test was surprisingly easy.
unexpectedly

Use 'unexpectedly' when something happens without warning or anticipation, often abruptly.

  • The meeting ended unexpectedly early.
  • He showed up at the party unexpectedly.
astonishingly

Use 'astonishingly' when something is so surprising that it almost seems unbelievable. It emphasizes a high level of shock or awe.

  • Astonishingly, they found the long-lost manuscript.
  • He speaks ten languages astonishingly well.
amazingly

Use 'amazingly' when something happens in an impressive or extraordinary way. It often conveys a sense of wonder.

  • Amazingly, he finished the race in first place.
  • She can amazingly solve complex math problems in seconds.
remarkably

Use 'remarkably' to highlight something that is unusually or strikingly great or good.

  • Remarkably, the building withstood the earthquake.
  • Her performance was remarkably better than last time.

Examples of usage

  • He did surprisingly well in the exam.
  • The movie was surprisingly good.
Context #2 | Adjective

causing surprise or astonishment

Causing someone to feel surprised by being unexpected or unusual.

Synonyms

amazing, astonishing, startling, unexpected.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surprisingly

Used when something happens that is unusual or not anticipated.

  • Surprisingly, the shy child spoke in front of the whole class.
  • The weather was surprisingly warm for this time of year.
unexpected

Used when describing something that happens without being predicted or anticipated.

  • The party was an unexpected surprise.
  • We had some unexpected guests over the weekend.
astonishing

Used for something that is so surprising that it is almost unbelievable.

  • The news of the discovery was astonishing.
  • He achieved an astonishing feat by climbing the mountain alone.
amazing

Used to describe something that is extremely good, impressive, or enjoyable.

  • The magician's tricks were amazing.
  • She gave an amazing performance in the play.
startling

Used when something causes a sudden shock or alarm.

  • The loud noise was startling and woke everyone up.
  • Her sudden announcement was quite startling.

Examples of usage

  • She gave a surprisingly good performance.
  • It was a surprisingly warm day for November.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Unexpected events can trigger strong emotional responses, often linked to the element of surprise.
  • Surprises can enhance learning by creating memorable moments that capture attention.
  • Humans tend to remember surprising events better than those that are expected, due to increased dopamine production.

Pop Culture

  • Many films and books utilize plot twists, turning events 'surprisingly' to keep audiences engaged.
  • Reality TV often centers around surprising moments to create drama and excitement.
  • The phrase 'surprise ending' is a common trope in storytelling, designed to shock or delight the audience.

Literature

  • Classical literature often plays with expectations, leading to surprisingly different conclusions than readers anticipate.
  • Modern thrillers frequently rely on surprising twists to maintain suspense and intrigue.
  • 'Surprisingly' adds an element of contrast to writing, helping to highlight unexpected developments in narratives.

Science

  • Studies show that the brain processes unexpected stimuli differently, highlighting their importance in learning.
  • Surprising results in scientific experiments can lead to breakthroughs and new theories.
  • The 'surprise' factor in experiments can influence participants' responses, often leading to more authentic reactions.

Origin of 'surprisingly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'surprendre', meaning 'to seize' or 'take over'.
  • The root 'prise' means 'taking' โ€“ showing how a surprise can take you off guard!
  • The suffix '-ly' transforms it into an adverb, describing how an action happens.

The word 'surprisingly' originates from the verb 'surprise' which comes from the Old French word 'surprendre', from the Latin 'suprendere' meaning 'to seize'. The adverb form 'surprisingly' was first used in the 16th century in English to describe something that causes surprise or astonishment.


See also: surprised, surprises, surprising.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,682 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.