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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of startle
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 10 July 2023
Swaddling also helps prevent babies' natural startle reflex from waking them up, and having their arms held down keeps them from scratching themselves with their razor-sharp little newborn nails.
—Jessica Hartshorn, Good Housekeeping, 22 Feb. 2023
Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Martin and her boyfriend at the time were startled out of bed with a flash-bang grenade and guns raised, as her 7-year-old son screamed from another room.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
When he was told the shot was in, his eyes opened with a startle, then fell toward the floor.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 10 July 2023
Swaddling also helps prevent babies' natural startle reflex from waking them up, and having their arms held down keeps them from scratching themselves with their razor-sharp little newborn nails.
—Jessica Hartshorn, Good Housekeeping, 22 Feb. 2023
Noun
All the life of the field startles and a flock of starlings
flush holding the shape of the flames.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Martin and her boyfriend at the time were startled out of bed with a flash-bang grenade and guns raised, as her 7-year-old son screamed from another room.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
-
DoorDash and Roblox make the list because there are always a couple of companies that amaze and can't be denied.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
4 Aug. 2025
-
What amazed many is that Brooks — who has earned just one All-Defense nod (second team in 2023) — isn’t more respected as a defender, especially because of his versatility.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Vivid Seats stock jumped more than 50% in Wednesday day trading, the latest move in what’s been a volatile week for the live event ticketing business.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Sunrise yoga on the cliff deck, facing the Alona beach, is a an option for those prefer mindful movement to jump start the day.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Most give up halfway, frightened by the warnings of those below.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
While the notion might frighten fans who have Thursday nights perpetually blocked off on their calendars, shorter episodes could prove beneficial in giving the Critical Role founders a little bit of a break.—
Dana Reboe,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This, in turn, has rendered the EU vulnerable to shocks from powers ideologically and strategically opposed to the West.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Kirsh’s shock of white hair and dry, sardonic air give Olyphant refreshing distance from the upright lawmen he’s known for.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The scientists were surprised by how forceful human embryos are, especially compared to mouse embryos, which appear to lie passively as a womb envelopes them.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Nuno knows Forest must keep finding ways to surprise people.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But lawmakers on both sides are wincing at the thought of a full-year funding patch, particularly as the government operates under its third continuous stopgap.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
5 Aug. 2025
-
In Monday night’s first quarter after falling to the court, Haliburton winced and grabbed his lower right leg.—
Shakeia Taylor,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
But Levine, a social media savvy young millennial, knew the line between sharing and scaring.—
Alessandra Schade,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The Wall Street Journal reported that six years after the film was released, the United States Department of Agriculture selected the audio of the scene in question to scare off wolves from killing cattle and livestock on farms across America.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ralph stunned guests by wearing an 80-foot-long shawl that flowed behind her, covering the 72 steps leading up to the museum.—
Sarah Title,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Though the 25-year-old spent Thursday preparing for a Triple-A game in Buffalo, Roden wasn’t stunned to learned he’d been traded.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share