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
Experts warned of startling low turnout in the lead-up to the historic election because of the mind-boggling array of unfamiliar choices and the novelty of voting for judges.
—
MarÍa Verza, Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025
The sudden change was startling to those in the building and puzzling to those around the league.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 June 2025
There’s no music, either, to soften or ennoble proceedings, only the indifferent murmur of weather over the startling debris of human conflict, or the slow creak of a galleon on lapping waters as sailors are sent cruelly to their deaths.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2025
But weeks later, he was accused of abuse and violence in a startling civil lawsuit from a former girlfriend.
—Way Mullery, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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MarÍa Verza, Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025
The sudden change was startling to those in the building and puzzling to those around the league.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 June 2025
There’s no music, either, to soften or ennoble proceedings, only the indifferent murmur of weather over the startling debris of human conflict, or the slow creak of a galleon on lapping waters as sailors are sent cruelly to their deaths.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2025
But weeks later, he was accused of abuse and violence in a startling civil lawsuit from a former girlfriend.
—Way Mullery, CNN Money, 22 May 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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