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
Samson McDougall, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
When he was told the shot was in, his eyes opened with a startle, then fell toward the floor.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 10 July 2023
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Fortunately, the commotion was enough to startle the bear.
—Katie Jackson, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
For very small babies, swaddling the arms is effective at reducing their startle reflex—which can be disruptive to sleep.
—Samson McDougall, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
When he was told the shot was in, his eyes opened with a startle, then fell toward the floor.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 10 July 2023
Noun
At some point in the middle of Andersen’s speech, the shots from the range next door had ceased to startle me.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Fortunately, the commotion was enough to startle the bear.
—Katie Jackson, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The stock's best performance in the past 25 years occurred under CEO Alan Mulally, from September 2006 through July 2014, when shares jumped roughly 178%.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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The five-year survival rate for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer has jumped up from around 75% in the early 1980s, to over 90% in the past few years.—
Dr. Noor Shaik,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the intent was to frighten the population, the move succeeded.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Within my book, one of the things that frightens me most is the fact that with censorship, there’s often not a clear red line, right?—
Fiction Non Fiction
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Reaction to the Grand Blanc Township violence Statements of support, shock and encouragement quickly flooded social media.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Gertrude set out to generate the same kind of shock—modernism’s disruption of form and perspective—by using words to compose a fractured picture.—
Judith Thurman,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But what surprised me most about these curls was the stealthiness of the burn.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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Three days later, the couple's friends surprised them with a celebratory wedding dinner.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The modus operandi generally involved either scaring a convenience store owner and fleeing with thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, like one such incident at a 7-Eleven in Walnut Creek where masked men stole $8,000 in tobacco products, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
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If someone unexpectedly opens the door to enter the room, a harsh alarm will sound to scare off the intruder—adding an extra layer beyond the hotel’s typical locks.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The industry was stunned when Colorado inked former National League MVP Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract after the 2021 season.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … OUT OF NOWHERE – Driver stunned when a surprise visitor makes a sudden appearance.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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