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
CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Both fans were loud enough at their medium speeds to startle my cats.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 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 gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Both fans were loud enough at their medium speeds to startle my cats.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 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
-
The imposing tower never ceases to amaze local resident Ogden Driskill, whose family has ranched on the land at its base for generations.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
When Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone at America’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, the invention amazed the crowd.—
David H. Hsu,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
He was filmed jumping into the historic fountain while fully clothed as crowds nearby watched.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
Data from travel booking platform TrainPal shows that in April, purchases by UK residents of Eurostar tickets to France jumped 42% month-over-month and rose 25% year-over-year.—
,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Detainees describe electric shocks, rubber bullets, exposure to cold, scarce food and water, and overflowing bathrooms at Israel’s Ktzi’ot prison.—
Mogomotsi Magome,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
-
The combo left Gualtieri lying on the ropes with a look of shock on his face as the referee started his count.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
His shocking appearance seemed to even surprise his castmates, who looked at him with wide eyes and open mouths.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
There’s deep, poetic honor in the grueling fight to rebuild a standard; to find the creative sparks and opportunism required to surprise the world again.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
At times, she’s been shown wincing on the bench.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Vanderbilt was in a ton of pain, and even the Thunder bench winced at Vanderbilt’s hand.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
That same year, Wait Until Dark scared me to death when bad guys terrorized a blind Audrey Hepburn.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
Jittery housemaid Miss Lamb (Thomasin McKenzie) proves less trouble to manage, as Fred scares the wits out of her with bogus talk of a ghoul wandering the Moors.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Geena Davis, 70, stunned in a sequins illusion dress that resembled fireworks at the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony on May 23.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
-
Busch’s rapid decline stunned the racing world, inside and outside the track.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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