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
In the middle of Thursday’s numerous Giants developments, from concerning player injuries to a startling contract extension for underperforming GM Joe Schoen, the only thing that truly mattered was happening on the field.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
The partnerships Sesame has built are startling in their range.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
That mugshot—with her straight dark hair, motorcycle jacket, and flat, defiant stare—would come to represent a nation, and generation, in crisis; a startling declaration that America’s own sons and daughters had turned violently against their country.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Given that the first film showed a man alone in the world, news of family ties are startling.
—Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
The partnerships Sesame has built are startling in their range.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
That mugshot—with her straight dark hair, motorcycle jacket, and flat, defiant stare—would come to represent a nation, and generation, in crisis; a startling declaration that America’s own sons and daughters had turned violently against their country.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Given that the first film showed a man alone in the world, news of family ties are startling.
—Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 16 May 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 27 May. 2026.
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