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
Each year, startling rises in defense spending seem nearer, but do not bring change.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
There was David Gamson, a 24-year-old electronics wizard and composer-in-training who helped to shape Cupid and Psyche 85’s extravagant layers of sampled and synthesized sound, a tapestry of iridescent edges whose startling complexity was inspired in part by his interest in classical counterpoint.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Nevils shares startling data to support these expert testimonies.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
But the dropoff from Lindor is stark, and the domino effect is startling to consider.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
There was David Gamson, a 24-year-old electronics wizard and composer-in-training who helped to shape Cupid and Psyche 85’s extravagant layers of sampled and synthesized sound, a tapestry of iridescent edges whose startling complexity was inspired in part by his interest in classical counterpoint.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Nevils shares startling data to support these expert testimonies.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
But the dropoff from Lindor is stark, and the domino effect is startling to consider.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 11 Feb. 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 19 Feb. 2026.
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