startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing momentary 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
While there have been some rumblings about Paramount on Reddit chat groups like Wall Street Bets, there hasn’t been anything like the Covid frenzy that boosted AMC Entertainment, GameStop and numerous other stocks to startling levels.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
In 1956, the American geologist M. King Hubbert made a startling prediction: In a matter of decades, the supply of fuel on which so much of modern society depended would dwindle.
—Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Silver carp famously jump out of the water when spooked, startling boaters and skiers.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Ohtani exited his most recent start on the mound with right hip cramps, a startling sight amid his rehab from a second major elbow ligament reconstruction.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
In 1956, the American geologist M. King Hubbert made a startling prediction: In a matter of decades, the supply of fuel on which so much of modern society depended would dwindle.
—Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Silver carp famously jump out of the water when spooked, startling boaters and skiers.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Ohtani exited his most recent start on the mound with right hip cramps, a startling sight amid his rehab from a second major elbow ligament reconstruction.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
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 Aug. 2025.
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