startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing momentary fright, surprise, or astonishment
a startling discovery
startlingly
adverb
Examples of startling in a Sentence
Startling new evidence came to light during the trial.
He made a startling discovery.
It is a city of startling contrasts.
Recent Examples on the Web
The startling discovery was made Wednesday, July 16, at House of Refuge beach, about a 105-mile drive north from Miami.
—
Mark Price, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
This was a startling rebuke to those who have argued for years that Syria should avert another dictatorship by conferring greater power on local authorities.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 18 July 2025
Initially, nobody knew what happened, but then Maguire revealed some startling information.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 17 July 2025
Since the early 2010s, U.S. middle and high schools have seen a startling increase in mental illness and psychological suffering among their students.
—Jonathan Haidt, Denver Post, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Mark Price, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
This was a startling rebuke to those who have argued for years that Syria should avert another dictatorship by conferring greater power on local authorities.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 18 July 2025
Initially, nobody knew what happened, but then Maguire revealed some startling information.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 17 July 2025
Since the early 2010s, U.S. middle and high schools have seen a startling increase in mental illness and psychological suffering among their students.
—Jonathan Haidt, Denver Post, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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