element of surprise
noun phrase
: the unexpected or surprising character of something
The attackers were relying on the element of surprise.
Examples of element of surprise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the first week of Israel’s strikes in Iran, the Israeli military no longer has the element of surprise, and the country’s political leadership must decide how far to go with the campaign, a decision that relies heavily on what Trump decides to do.
—
Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
The publicity, gained through a leak from within, meant the consortium lost the element of surprise, which people believe made the Glazers raise the asking price.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
But second, the element of surprise — 500 of these devices throughout the entire city.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
Furthermore, the maneuver may not even get off the ground, as at least four of the fleet’s combined task forces routinely patrol the Persian Gulf and the Strait, and their surveillance may take away the element of surprise.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for element of surprise
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Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
The publicity, gained through a leak from within, meant the consortium lost the element of surprise, which people believe made the Glazers raise the asking price.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
But second, the element of surprise — 500 of these devices throughout the entire city.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
Furthermore, the maneuver may not even get off the ground, as at least four of the fleet’s combined task forces routinely patrol the Persian Gulf and the Strait, and their surveillance may take away the element of surprise.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for element of surprise
Cite this Entry
“Element of surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element%20of%20surprise. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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