Surprise
Shock
Synonyms Shock, thunderbolt, revelation, rude awakening, start, shocker, bolt from/out of the blue, bombshell, source of amazement, eye-opener, turn up for the books, and whammy.
Astonishment
Synonyms Astonishment, incredulity, stupefaction, confusion, consternation, amazement, bewilderment, wonder, and disbelief.
Astonish
Synonyms Astonish, nonplus, astound, flabbergast, shock, stupefy, take someone's breath away, daze, confound, jolt, bowl over, floor, strike dumb, amazed, nonplussed, startled, stunned, staggered, shell-shocked, open-mouthed, dumbstruck, at a loss for words, dazed, confounded, goggle-eyed, jolted, bowled over, floored, caught on the hop, unexpected, unforeseen, unpredicted, amazing, astounding, staggering, extraordinary, breathtaking, wonderful, mind-blowing, backasswards, amaze, startle, stun, stagger, stop someone in their tracks, leave open-mouthed, dumbfound, benumb, take aback, shake up, knock for six, blow someone's mind, astonished, in amazement, taken aback, astounded, flabbergasted, shocked, stupefied, dumbfounded, speechless, thunderstruck, benumbed, agape, wide-eyed, shaken up, knocked for six, flummoxed, caught on the wrong foot, unanticipated, unpredictable, astonishing, startling, striking, incredible, dazzling, remarkable, unusual, and amazeballs.
Take by surprise
Synonyms Take by surprise, catch off guard, catch in the act, catch out, catch in flagrante delicto, catch unawares, catch red-handed, catch napping, burst in on, and catch on the hop.
Example Sentences
"The surprise party was amazing.
" "He received a surprise gift.
" "Her surprise visit brightened everything.
" "They planned a surprise celebration.
" "The surprise announcement thrilled everyone.