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

The musician gave an update on her upcoming album — and opened up about a startling 2019 health scare. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026

Transit has this tremendous scale and a startling capacity to shift between the intimate and the grand, as well as an intricate architecture. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Caught on Camera features startling footage of people having real-life medical emergencies, from cardiac arrests to animal attacks, shot by the people in crisis and those around them. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026

The morbidly curious Sperm Whale and Giant Squid Diorama is a startling depiction of one of nature’s most mysterious predator-prey relationships. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 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