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 New Orleans Saints were hit with some startling news on the health status of starting quarterback Derek Carr just two weeks prior to the NFL Draft.
—
Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Scientists are increasingly aware of urine communication in all its startling forms.
—Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 11 Apr. 2025
If anything, this document only underscores the startling escalation of Trump's war on dissent and efforts to remove people who disagree with him or U.S. policy.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
This year, the head of Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles made a startling public admission, telling lawmakers that the agency, which regulates the towing industry, has never enforced a century-old law meant to protect drivers whose cars are towed.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Scientists are increasingly aware of urine communication in all its startling forms.
—Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 11 Apr. 2025
If anything, this document only underscores the startling escalation of Trump's war on dissent and efforts to remove people who disagree with him or U.S. policy.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
This year, the head of Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles made a startling public admission, telling lawmakers that the agency, which regulates the towing industry, has never enforced a century-old law meant to protect drivers whose cars are towed.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2025.
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