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
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Amid a years-long decline in the bee population that has startled scientists, experts are now warning that a growing industry is hurting native habitats and potentially leading to further die-offs.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Vilifying messages can startle without profanity.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Amid a years-long decline in the bee population that has startled scientists, experts are now warning that a growing industry is hurting native habitats and potentially leading to further die-offs.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
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
-
Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But Manso consistently pulls rebounds away from taller players, scores inside and makes plays that amaze his teammates.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Brent futures, the global oil benchmark, jumped another 6% to $82 a barrel, per FactSet data.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t jump to conclusions — not about yourself nor anyone else.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His dribbling, direct running style and finishing frighten defenders and light up the biggest stages.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Anyone in the East who shivered through this winter could be in for a shock at the outcome.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
While the first waves of shock and sadness rolled through the city, journalists, historians and public figures reached into the past to help make sense of this week's violence.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Given our below-average funding, none of us should be surprised by our below-average education outcomes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
-
That Testa’s pin sparked the turnaround didn’t surprise senior heavyweight Joey Favia.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then, as things dragged on, Goldberg could be seen recoiling and wincing in her chair — and, at one point, fully collapsing backward in protest.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That term definitely scared off some other teams.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Among them is an allegation that Live Nation threatens to retaliate against venues that work with rivals, allegedly scaring those venues into complying.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Simone was stunned by Morris' success.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Ratajkowski stunned while attending the Loewe fashion show on March 6.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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