startling

adjective

star·​tling ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 

ˈstärt-liŋ

: causing fright, surprise, or astonishment

a startling discovery

startlingly adverb

Synonyms of startling

• surprising
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing

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

This startling development should raise alarm bells in Springfield, which already has heard warnings from experts that power capacity could fall short of what’s needed in Illinois within the next five years. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

That knife-edge divide — dry pavement on one side, a downpour on the other — is what made Ford’s footage so startling. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

But her vitals are strong and there’s startling force in her unpredictable convulsions and bone-chilling noises. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

There are no great surprises from here on out, though the sheer, lusty grossness of the fallout is occasionally startling. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

startling

adjective

star·​tling

: causing a sudden fright, surprise, or astonishment

a startling discovery

startlingly

ˈstärt-liŋ-lē, 

-ᵊl-iŋ-

adverb