Reading Theme:
Surprisingly: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：unexpectedly (surprisingly)
surprisingly
/səˈpraɪzɪŋli/
adv.
in a way that causes surprise because it is not what you expected
unexpectedly
➕
/ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪdli/
adv.
In a manner that causes surprise because it is not what was anticipated.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
sur- (over) + prise (to seize) + -ly (adverb suffix), from Latin prehendere.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'sur-prise' as 'over-take' — something that overtakes your expectations.
📖 Example
The underdog team played surprisingly well and nearly won the championship.
The underdog team performed surprisingly well and nearly secured the championship.
🔗 Collocations
perform surprisingly well – to do better than expected
surprisingly easy – much simpler than anticipated
surprisingly fast – quicker than usual
🔄 Synonyms
astonishingly (adv.) – in a way that causes great surprise
unexpectedly (adv.) – in a way not anticipated
amazingly (adv.) – in a way that causes wonder
🚫 Antonyms
predictably (adv.) – in a way that can be foreseen
expectedly (adv.) – in a way that was anticipated
🌱 Derivatives
surprise (n./v.) – the feeling of shock or wonder
surprising (adj.) – causing surprise
📖 Cultural Story
From Old French surprendre (sur- 'over' + prendre 'to take'), originally 'to overtake'. The adverb form emerged in the 1500s.
Meaning 2：contrary to expectation (surprisingly)
surprisingly
/səˈpraɪzɪŋli/
adv.
in a way that is not what you thought would happen or be true
contrary to expectation
➕
/ˌkɒntrəri tuː ɪkˌspektˈeɪʃən/
adv.
In a way that is not what one would typically think or believe to be true.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
This old model of phone is surprisingly durable and still works perfectly after five years.
This older phone model is surprisingly durable and continues to function perfectly after five years.
🔗 Collocations
surprisingly durable – more resistant to wear than expected
surprisingly affordable – less expensive than anticipated
surprisingly popular – more favored than assumed
🔄 Synonyms
unexpectedly (adv.) – in a way not anticipated
oddly (adv.) – in a strange or unexpected manner
remarkably (adv.) – in a way that is striking or notable
🚫 Antonyms
predictably (adv.) – in a foreseeable manner
typically (adv.) – in a normal or expected way
🌱 Derivatives
surprise (n./v.) – the feeling of shock or wonder
surprising (adj.) – causing surprise
Meaning 3：surprisingly enough (surprisingly)
surprisingly
/səˈpraɪzɪŋli/
adv.
used to emphasize how much of a particular quality something has, in a way that is unexpected
surprisingly enough
➕
/səˈpraɪzɪŋli ɪˈnʌf/
adv.
Used to emphasize how much of a particular quality something has, in a way that is not expected.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
For a dessert with no added sugar, this cake is surprisingly sweet and tasty.
For a dessert without added sugar, this cake is surprisingly sweet and delicious.
🔗 Collocations
surprisingly sweet – more sugary than expected given the ingredients
surprisingly tasty – more flavorful than anticipated
surprisingly light – less heavy or dense than assumed
🔄 Synonyms
astonishingly (adv.) – in a way that causes amazement
incredibly (adv.) – in a way that is hard to believe
unbelievably (adv.) – in a way that is difficult to accept as true
🚫 Antonyms
unsurprisingly (adv.) – in a way that is expected or predictable
🌱 Derivatives
surprise (n./v.) – the feeling of shock or wonder
surprising (adj.) – causing surprise
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