startle 1 of 2

verb

ˈstär-tᵊl How to pronounce startle (audio)
Definition of startlenext
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

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2
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to frighten
to strike with fear loud noises always startle her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

startle

2 of 2

noun

as in shock

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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
Verb
As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 While holding Gnocchi, a large street cleaning truck whipped down the street and startled him into clawing away. — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
The record-scratch startle that jump-starts the dramatic arc occurs when Eleanor (Squibb) is trying to figure out what to do with herself at a Manhattan Jewish community center after recently relocating from Florida. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025 Yet the combination of startle, confusion, at least nineteen warning and caution messages, inconsistent information, and lack of recent experience hand-flying the aircraft led the crew to enter a dangerous stall. — David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
  1. amaze
  2. jump
  3. frighten
  4. shock
  5. surprise
  6. wince
  7. scare
  8. astonishment
Verb
  • After dressing up as an anthropomorphic worm, an incredibly realistic ET, and a chimpanzee complete with prosthetic facial features and ears, the supermodel is ready to amaze us once again.
    — Alfredo Toriello, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The 2026 guide has 29 new gems; that number includes a few places that had formerly dropped off the list but now return, having amazed us once again.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • Under the change, those ceilings will jump to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for families.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • At Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Northwest Austin, the number of burglaries reported within 300 feet of the park more than quadrupled from 2024 to 2025, jumping from 15 to 68.
    — Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • Samy Paul, a British tourist, described the shock of the impact to The Associated Press after being rescued from the Renfe train.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments express shock and concern over a recent train collision in Spain, highlighting issues with safety systems and the frequency of such accidents.
    — Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • During Tuesday’s board meeting, several residents spoke about being surprised by high bills and called for an audit of the Department of Water and Power.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The result surprised the researchers because nuclear spins are generally much less responsive to external electrical signals than electron spins.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • The Brazilian will likely have contributed to a good number of clean sheets and also chipped in with a few goals, and not many people would wince at the idea of him being called the best centre-back in the world game.
    — Senior Football, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Back on the broadcast, Nantz immediately winced and grabbed his hand.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of wince
Verb
  • The white whale of American politics seemed in reach until the president spent two years scaring it away.
    — Gabe Fleisher, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
  • El-Sayed is a handy bogeyman for Republican politicians who seek to scare their constituents into voting for them instead of the foreboding Arab name on the ballot.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of scare
Noun
  • Its laughs are more often born out of astonishment than intentional comic craft.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Or someone sees the light on in Rita’s room and their eyes meet for a second, from a distance, observing one another with astonishment.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of astonishment

Browse Nearby Words

starting
startle
startled
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Cite this Entry

“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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