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
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Recent Examples of startle
Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
The national demand for the film startled Snyder, who at the time of the interview had more than 125 art house cinemas lined up to show the film.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2025
Threaten the rubber hand by attempting to stab it with a dagger, for instance, and the participants exhibit an involuntary startle or fear response.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
And Shakers are celibate – one of the practices that most startled their neighbors in 18th- and 19th-century America.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
The national demand for the film startled Snyder, who at the time of the interview had more than 125 art house cinemas lined up to show the film.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Noun
Perry collected herself after the initial startle and resumed the song when the set design was stabilized.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2025
Threaten the rubber hand by attempting to stab it with a dagger, for instance, and the participants exhibit an involuntary startle or fear response.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
-
An artist who never fails to amaze me.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The universe amazed me yet again.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That’s why the team turned to look into how these insects transition between jumping, flapping, and gliding.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The new season of Prime Video's high-octane thriller jumps eight years ahead of the explosive Season 1 finale with Pine running a quiet surveillance unit in London under the alias Alex Goodwin, a low-level MI6 officer.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Tens of millions of dollars have been spent to redefine reality and to convince our neighbors that this new age is something that should frighten them.—
TIME Video,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The actors then check her vitals and read paperwork before giving the star a major shock.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
After a volatile 2025 marked by persistent geopolitical shocks, the early days of the new year suggest continuity rather than relief.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But no one was surprised by the play in the Panthers’ locker room, even after Scott’s struggles in 2024.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
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While each deposit may seem small, this money can snowball over time and surprise you.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a video of the incident, Tricia lets out a loud scream and winces as the champagne drips from her hair, into her eyes and onto her face.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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The actress was shown wincing in pain before being escorted out of the ballroom on a stretcher into an ambulance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
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Don’t let the tackiness of this primer scare you.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So we were stunned to read about how Sean Harden, chair of the Chicago Board of Education as duly appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, reportedly had launched two internal investigations into how that board’s super-secret business got into the hands of reporters.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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Others were stunned by individual line items.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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