English

Adverb

surprisingly ‎(comparative more surprisingly, superlative most surprisingly)

1. In a way that causes surprise because it is unexpected, or unusual.

   The house was surprisingly small for such a numerous family.

   Not surprisingly, the electrician didn't come at the time he had said.

   • 2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in the Guardian:

     François Hollande has moved a step closer to becoming the first Socialist president of France in a generation by beating the incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy, in the first round of elections. But the surprisingly high vote for the extreme-right candidate, Marine Le Pen, boosted the overall figures for the right and meant that the final runoff vote on 6 May remains on a knife edge.

Synonyms

• unexpectedly
• unusually

Antonyms

• as usual
• normally

Usage notes

• This adverb is more often used to modify an adjective than a verb

Translations