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
In that time span, the liberals made a startling 20-plus-point comeback in the polls, overtaking the conservatives as election day neared.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
It’s been a short, hectic campaign season, marked by startling reversals — most notably a massive decline in support for the current opposition Conservative Party — and ignited by the resignation of longtime Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
—Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
This is all happening while people around the country experience unprecedented and unpredictable weather patterns — from alarming infernos in California to startling floods in North Carolina.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
At present, the luxury-car market is spoiling us, and our committed skincare regimen, with a startling plethora of quick, sporting, and sybaritic six-figure droptops.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
It’s been a short, hectic campaign season, marked by startling reversals — most notably a massive decline in support for the current opposition Conservative Party — and ignited by the resignation of longtime Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
—Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
This is all happening while people around the country experience unprecedented and unpredictable weather patterns — from alarming infernos in California to startling floods in North Carolina.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
At present, the luxury-car market is spoiling us, and our committed skincare regimen, with a startling plethora of quick, sporting, and sybaritic six-figure droptops.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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