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
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startle
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Outside of Houston, homeowner Sherri James was startled by a sudden crash, only to discover a 6-inch (15-cm) hole in her roof and a small piece of the solar system resting on her floor.
—
Shawn Laatsch,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
The wife, who’d been fixated on the cages, shook with a startle, as if waking from a dream.
—
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
Officials apparently were startled when more than 2,000 mostly young fans did just that.
—
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Outside of Houston, homeowner Sherri James was startled by a sudden crash, only to discover a 6-inch (15-cm) hole in her roof and a small piece of the solar system resting on her floor.
—
Shawn Laatsch,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Noun
Common reasons include the startle (Moro) reflex, discomfort, gas or reflux and a need for closeness.
—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
The wife, who’d been fixated on the cages, shook with a startle, as if waking from a dream.
—
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
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More than 30 years later, what amazes me isn’t just what that team accomplished on the field.
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This technology still amazes me.
Verb
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Bond puts increase in value when bond prices fall and interest rates rise, allowing investors to offset losses elsewhere in their portfolios if borrowing costs jump unexpectedly.
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Indiana forward Myisha Hines-Allen jumped into the scrum.
Verb
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But her outbursts frightened the children too.
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What frightened me most was what might happen to my children.
Noun
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Cold water shock impairs breathing and can overwhelm even strong swimmers within seconds.
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Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared today a national holiday after the country’s soccer team reached the knockout phase of the World Cup with a shock 2-1 win over Germany.
Verb
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Through the fantastical nature of this story and the original nature of the omniscient narrator Ahmad is able to continually surprise.
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There was also a nice moment with his dad, who surprised him after flying to New York on a red-eye Sunday morning.
Verb
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Everybody winced when Igor Tudor dragged Kinsky off the pitch after 17 minutes of Tottenham’s embarrassing defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
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My father is a can-do, glass-half-full guy, a quality that has always felt like a rebuke of my own bleak world view, which makes the poor man literally wince.
Verb
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Don’t be scared by his blue eyes.
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The intent of the letters isn’t to scare people, but to educate them about water stewardship, Talbott said.
Noun
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The tournament brought more than a million visitors into the country, and a striking number of them have spent the trip documenting their astonishment at things Americans stopped seeing years ago.
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To the astonishment of many a Bobhead, Dylan’s guitarist Doug Lancio was replaced in Santa Barbara by Julian Lage, the youngish jazz star known for his work with Gary Burton and John Zorn.
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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