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
This choice makes those images that do stand in for Sasha’s line of sight all the more startling and forceful.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Those startling stats mark a stunning reversal from the post-pandemic boom.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Fifteen months after raging winter storms battered the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, causing a 180-foot section to collapse into the ocean in a startling incident that made international news, the historic structure is on the mend.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Playing the title role with an unnerving sincerity and startling sense of vulnerability, Early stars as Maddie Ralph, a young woman climbing the ranks as a Los Angeles food influencer while secretly hiding her struggle with bulimia.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Those startling stats mark a stunning reversal from the post-pandemic boom.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Fifteen months after raging winter storms battered the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, causing a 180-foot section to collapse into the ocean in a startling incident that made international news, the historic structure is on the mend.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Playing the title role with an unnerving sincerity and startling sense of vulnerability, Early stars as Maddie Ralph, a young woman climbing the ranks as a Los Angeles food influencer while secretly hiding her struggle with bulimia.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 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 17 Apr. 2026.
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