October surprise

noun

An occurrence that unexpectedly comes to public attention just prior to a November election, especially a presidential election, and that is likely to affect the outcome.

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Meanings

nounOctober surprise (plural October surprises)

plural October surprises

  1. USgovernmentAn occurrence that unexpectedly comes to public attention just prior to a November election, especially a presidential election, and that is likely to affect the outcome.
Cite this entry
APA

October surprise. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/October%20surprise

MLA

“October surprise.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/October%20surprise. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “October surprise,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/October%20surprise.

Source: October surprise on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.