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
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Recent Examples of startle
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 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 now-viral video from Stacy Goss, the family was startled by the sight of a huge bald eagle gawking at them, but more concerningly, at their dog Gnocchi.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 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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Regardless of how or why, that drive continues to amaze me.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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What amazes me is that after Covid, a lot of the business became transactional.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Last week, the number of first-time claims jumped to their highest level since late-February.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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Tina and Blue beamed, while Rumi jumped around the stage and hugged her mother, sister, and grandmother.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.—
John Nemec,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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The prospect of returning to the role, first for a West End reprise in February and then for the Brooklyn performance frightened her.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Within three minutes, with Inter having taken a shock early lead, Yamal began attempting to prise their defence apart.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Countries that can respond to shocks and recover quickly fare better.—
Aldo Flores-Quiroga,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Don’t be surprised when the Avs win Game 6, 17-2. If the Stars had their complete lineup, this would not be a close series.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2025
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The truth is no one should be surprised by the swift start.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the trailer depicts, the shame of his past follows him into Thunderbolts*, with the character wincing over bad press about him in the newspaper.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
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Fans should be ready to wince as the 2025 Twins make hit-by-pitch history.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There were no players who really scared opposing defensive coordinators.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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In the beginning of the movie, Karsh goes on a date, but his grief scares the woman away.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When Kevin Anderson, Burns' friend from prison, read the transcript of the hearing, he was stunned.—
Erin Moriarty, Liza Finley,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
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Neighbors stunned by sight of man hiding in tree to escape ICE agents [KSAT] A San Antonio man climbed up a tree to avoid being detained by ICE agents.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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