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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startle
Jessica Hartshorn, Good Housekeeping, 22 Feb. 2023
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
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
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
-
In 2024 one woman amazed the internet with the results after she was warned not to paint her house white, only for the results to shock people who were against it at first.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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The way 16 different emotions can flit across his face in a single moment continually surprises, amazes and confounds us.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
The stock has jumped 16% in just a week, reaching a new 52-week high of $18.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
According to the city’s projections, the sales tax will jump from $39 million to $41 million and property taxes will increase from $16 million to $17 million.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
-
Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Clark’s ranking was a shock to many across the social media landscape.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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But when faced with financial shocks or broader economic uncertainty, many businesses reduce their credit card payments by an average of 3.2%.—
Juliana Berger,
Forbes.com,
1 July 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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Dakota Johnson is more charming than usual here but moves like someone whose feet have never touched the ground, who has never winced looking at a bill.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
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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
Verb
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The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
27 June 2025
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The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The rescue pup stunned judges with her brown and blue eyes, speckled fur, and inviting smile.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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Unlike games like Super Mario Galaxy, which allow P2 to sort of play along by shooting little stars to stun enemies, Bananza’s version of coop feels extremely robust and changes the entire game.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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