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
Thursday’s cacophony of startling videos – with Ukrainian drones arriving in waves over the flames to follow up on strike after strike – marks a global moment of clarity, in which the Kremlin is truly struggling.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
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 cold cost of the transfer laid bare is startling.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
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 cold cost of the transfer laid bare is startling.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 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 22 Jun. 2026.
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