startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing 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
His recovery and startling physical transformation hardly a year after his injury became a frequent topic on social media.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
This is arguably a more startling possibility than the high concept at the film’s center, though it’s treated as secondary, not least because Abby’s own head hasn’t been in the game since losing her father Warren (David Starthairn) the year before.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 June 2026
The scale of the production is startling, even by the standards of a presidency that has often embraced spectacle.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2026
Which is why the cannons were so startling.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
This is arguably a more startling possibility than the high concept at the film’s center, though it’s treated as secondary, not least because Abby’s own head hasn’t been in the game since losing her father Warren (David Starthairn) the year before.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 June 2026
The scale of the production is startling, even by the standards of a presidency that has often embraced spectacle.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2026
Which is why the cannons were so startling.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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