as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the startling news that my sister will be having a baby
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frightening
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startling
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
That’s an increase of 763% in just three years — a startling finding that correlates with a surge in sales of nicotine pouches.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2025
The stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 2 reunited for a tell-all special on July 1 which brought a number of startling revelations to the forefront — and forced the ladies to confront the questions that have been on everyone's minds.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 3 July 2025
Home surveillance footage captured the startling moment a single-engine Cessna 150 flipped over in a backyard in South Carolina.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Adjective
What started as a simple meal for one Reddit user quickly grew complicated after a startling discovery at the end of his sandwich.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
That’s an increase of 763% in just three years — a startling finding that correlates with a surge in sales of nicotine pouches.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2025
The stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 2 reunited for a tell-all special on July 1 which brought a number of startling revelations to the forefront — and forced the ladies to confront the questions that have been on everyone's minds.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 3 July 2025
Home surveillance footage captured the startling moment a single-engine Cessna 150 flipped over in a backyard in South Carolina.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
Adjective
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Focus on the surprising insight or counterintuitive result that makes people stop and think.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Chris Paul is all smiles while surprising The Tonight Show audience with his Good Eat'n snacks, as Jimmy Fallon presents him with a new Clippers jersey.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, McIlroy blew up for a double bogey on the first hole before jumping out to a massive lead.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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By jumping to agentic, Amazon can make home assistants that are capable and conversational like ChatGPT but also have a framework for communicating and controlling external services, as Alexa and Siri can.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Apple’s iOS 26 is coming this fall, along with some amazing new features for your iPhone, many of which are powered by Apple Intelligence AI — alongside a new design language dubbed Liquid Glass.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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The shoes have amazing cushioning that provides serious support, which was ideal for long walks in Athens.—
Alexis Benveniste,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Because of their tiny size, these monkeys are incredible jumpers, capable of leaping up to 16 feet.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2025
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The latter was dismissed by another leaping salmon catch by Glenn Phillips.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a stunning video obtained by the Daily News, two men are seen grabbing and kicking a third male around 12:59 p.m. near Commonwealth and Westchester Aves.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
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But nowhere is quite as stunning as Sea Watch on the Ocean.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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