1
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of startle
Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 May 2025
My yell must have startled him for a second or two, and my headlong rush kept him off balance just long enough.
—Howard Copenhaver, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2025
Jessica Hartshorn, Good Housekeeping, 22 Feb. 2023
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
Long time viewers of 60 Minutes are understandably startled by these high level fireworks.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 May 2025
My yell must have startled him for a second or two, and my headlong rush kept him off balance just long enough.
—Howard Copenhaver, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
Swaddling also helps prevent babies' natural startle reflex from waking them up, and having their arms held down keeps them from scratching themselves with their razor-sharp little newborn nails.
—Jessica Hartshorn, Good Housekeeping, 22 Feb. 2023
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
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In The 2025 Playoffs Cason Wallace didn’t amaze anyone with his playoff debut last season.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Among all, what truly amazed the 2022 U.S. Open champion was the 14-time PGA Tour winner, Scheffler's sheer dominance.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Umpire Cy Rigler, who had followed the play to third, then jumped after Olson, grabbing him about the neck and pulling him away, while half a dozen ball players made a circle around Maranville.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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He's jumped into the podcast world with The Deal, co-hosting with Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
6 June 2025
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
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In Kevin Day’s case, the initial sense of shock eventually gave way to tears in, of all places, his local supermarket.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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Narrating what happened with the boy in the autopsy room turned out to be wholly different from experiencing it; the riptide shock of that moment slowed to a largo of painful excavation.—
Danielle Ofri,
New Yorker,
7 June 2025
Verb
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But none of them have surprised me with their brilliance.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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In 2021, Jennings gave some insight into his parenting style and shared what surprised him most about becoming a dad.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Goertzel winced, because the question is challenging.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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Not just my face but also the faces of all middle-aged women who foolishly smiled, laughed, winced, frowned or squinted between birth and the year 2025.—
Gwen Rockwood,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The Pacers hold a 2-0 series lead after stunning the Knicks at MSG in Games 1 and 2.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 May 2025
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Related article Tyrese Haliburton and Indiana Pacers stun New York Knicks in overtime to take Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals Siakam insisted, however, that he and his teammates were not getting distracted by the prospect of writing their names in franchise history.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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