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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startle
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 June 2025
If you’re startled by a thud at around 11:59 pm on May 31, don’t panic.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 May 2025
Jessica Hartshorn, Good Housekeeping, 22 Feb. 2023
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
In a park near that city’s dock, there was a collection of these trees, startling in the brilliance of their blooms.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 June 2025
If you’re startled by a thud at around 11:59 pm on May 31, don’t panic.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 May 2025
Noun
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
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
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History is a window onto the past that always surprises and amazes me.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
13 June 2025
-
The science behind the process continues to amaze me.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
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The percentage of students assigning their schools an A grade also jumped to 31 percent, up from 22 percent in 2023.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Running, jumping and pivoting are things that basketball players kind of do a lot during a game.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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May 9, 2024 Gary Usher, a songwriter who worked with Landy, told state investigators that Wilson was a virtual captive, manipulated by a man who frightened and intimidated him.—
Steve Marble,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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Today, movies and TV intended for the biggest audience possible often water down their storytelling and generalize in order to avoid anything that might challenge, frighten or unsettle the audience.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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In the age of Trump’s global tariffs, Beijing is unleashing an export shock across the globe.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
19 June 2025
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The majority of those injured at Soroka were hurt while seeking shelter or suffered from shock.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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In the past, she has been surprised by the condition of upholstered pieces at estate sales upon taking them outside.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
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Our patients speak all these languages and occasionally surprise us with more, such as French or Bangla.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Spieth struggled throughout his opening round and was seen wincing in pain several times, even losing hold of a club.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Harper crumbled to one knee, wincing in anguish, as Phillies fans quaked with their worst possible nightmare — that their superstar first-baseman is seriously injured.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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However, the stories about Porter from Cleveland and Houston may scare enough other teams that Milwaukee can keep him at that price. 7.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
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Without it, regulation-heavy environments like Spain (which recently introduced strict labeling laws for AI content) will scare away the next generation of founders. 3.—
Lutz Finger,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Charlotte had stunned the Canucks with a goal at the 8:22 mark of the first period, and the game was tied 1-1 entering the final 20 minutes.—
Steve Lyttle,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
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The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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