1
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shock
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of startle
Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
On one hole, a volunteer walked behind him and startled him, triggering panic.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2025
Threaten the rubber hand by attempting to stab it with a dagger, for instance, and the participants exhibit an involuntary startle or fear response.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
But on a Sunday morning in July 1595, the groan of the heavy wooden door startled him from his gesticulations.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
On one hole, a volunteer walked behind him and startled him, triggering panic.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
Perry collected herself after the initial startle and resumed the song when the set design was stabilized.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2025
Threaten the rubber hand by attempting to stab it with a dagger, for instance, and the participants exhibit an involuntary startle or fear response.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
-
For twelve seasons, Kim has amazed us with her fierce and raw portrayal of Teddy Altman.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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The guys that amaze me the most are the guys that can turn it over every year and still be damn good.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The footage shows an alarm going off on an iPhone, with a gray cat instantly jumping up and using its paws to turn it off.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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But at the start of this year, Brvenik’s monthly premium jumped to nearly $142 after the credits expired.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grete is frightened of her brother, of course.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Israel knows women and babies were tortured, burned and posed in inhuman ways for one reason — to frighten.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The prospect of a cooling economy alongside high inflation, touched off by an oil shock, has many analysts comparing the current period to the 1970s.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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More consumer price inflation, more lower-income stress Atsi Sheth, chief credit officer at Moody’s Ratings, said this is only the most recent shock for a petrochemical industry that has seen several in recent years, from Covid to Ukraine to the Red Sea issues and now the Strait of Hormuz.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her plan to surprise her husband quickly spiraled into joyful chaos.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Mamdani’s victory seemed to have surprised and unsettled him.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then, as things dragged on, Goldberg could be seen recoiling and wincing in her chair — and, at one point, fully collapsing backward in protest.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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During the first phase, last spring, before DHS got the infusion of new money, Noem led a shock-and-awe campaign aimed mostly at scaring people into leaving.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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At the time, local hunters blamed the Ping for scaring away game.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The second came when UConn stunned Duke on that last-second 3-point shot to upset the Blue Devils in the Elite Eight.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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Tony-award-winning actor John Kani said he was stunned when the theatre's founders Barney Simon and Mannie Manim first told him their vision.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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