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
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Avoid sudden movements or noises, which can startle animals.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 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
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
Avoid sudden movements or noises, which can startle animals.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 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
-
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
-
The noon filing deadline represented the last chance for candidates to jump into the competitive contests ahead of the August primaries.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
-
In one particularly embarrassing incident for the agency, a man not only jumped the fence but got to the front door of the White House and entered before being apprehended.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
1 June 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
-
It’s been a few days, but the shock of the result is still fresh.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Due to a lightweight insole, grippy outsole, shock-absorbing heel, and secure lace-up closure, that was made possible.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
This reaction out of the travel ball hardo actually surprised me.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Morocco won’t surprise anyone this time around as it is ranked eighth in the world coming into the tourney.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Ohtani spun and winced but then strode straight to first base.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
At times, she’s been shown wincing on the bench.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Stop using implausible scenarios to scare young people and the gullible with claims about global catastrophe due to future global temperature increases.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
Sizable jury verdicts scare entities into expensive settlements, which raises the risk pool’s reinsurance costs and trickles down to members.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Just 90 days into his premiership, Abiy, at the time only 41, stunned the world by negotiating a truce that ended a bitter 20-year civil war with neighboring Eritrea.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
The Spurs came out of the gates hot, quickly taking a 14-point lead, leaving the raucous Continental Coliseum crowd stunned.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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