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
Reuters, NBC news, 29 May 2026
On one occasion, a suckerfish was captured disappearing into a manta ray's backside after a diver swimming nearby appeared to startle it.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
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
Verb
The scale of what is emerging in China’s northwestern desert has left even seasoned analysts startled.
—Reuters, NBC news, 29 May 2026
On one occasion, a suckerfish was captured disappearing into a manta ray's backside after a diver swimming nearby appeared to startle it.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 May 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
Verb
-
This technology still amazes me.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
-
What still amazes a man who has to be hard to impress is the Gunnison Tunnel.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Rivas jumped from an elevated part of Interstate 310 and landed in swampland below, state police said.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
-
Cue to the adorable Scooby-Doo excitedly jumping into Shaggy’s (Tanner Hagen) arms.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
What frightens scientists more than the sheer numbers are that the cuts are arbitrary and manifestly pernicious.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Dolma told me that when the wind turbines were being built, their noise frightened her livestock and carried across the valley, disturbing neighbors during windy times.—
Sanggay Tashi,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The standoff triggered one of the largest oil shocks ever recorded, sending gasoline prices higher.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
Most American soccer fans wouldn’t hesitate in saying that the United States winning the World Cup would clearly be a much bigger shock than the group of literal amateurs upsetting the greatest ice hockey team on watch at the 1980 winter games.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Demand for the prog-rockers surprised even Rush stalwarts Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Deoras said the discovery of those invariants was the finding that surprised him most.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
The Republican Congress — filled with Netanyahu fans and hawks eager to align with Israel — winced.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Late one night, with the neighbors’ dogs loose once again, Courtney Guarnieri fired shots into the darkness to scare them away.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
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The scientists only got a passing glimpse of the goblin shark before the lights and loud noise from the ROV's motor scared it away, Auscavitch told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Swilling beers from sponsor Corona, the hosts marveled at the turnaround, expressing the same astonishment that Larry David, Ben Stiller and other fans were showing on the ABC telecast.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
-
Reflecting on the news that Lawrence solved the mystery, Summer House star Jesse Solomon expressed total astonishment.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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