1
as in surprised
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in alarmed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in stunned
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in frightened
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startled
Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
The man, whose name was Mike, looked startled and confused.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
The man draws a sharp, startled breath.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
The ball bounced off the pavilion roof and into a bush near some tables where startled fans were eating.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
An Ohio woman ordered Charlie Kirk’s go-to Starbucks drink on Sunday evening — and was startled to find a hateful message written on the cup.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Steven reacts like a startled cat when Belly tells him, then pivots to comfort and action.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
But when expert judgment was most needed, the autopilot abruptly handed control back to the startled crew, and flooded the zone with urgent, confusing warnings.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
The Grammy-winning rapper surprises each of the startled women with a gift, a live beating heart, still pumping blood outside the body.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2025
George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Whether a pup bolts after a squirrel, slips its collar, or runs off after being startled, those first few minutes can feel endless.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
First baseman Michael Toglia covered his head, too, and was startled when the ball landed a few feet from him.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
In this episode, after Kirsch points out that the eyeball/sheep-thing intentionally startled and trapped Isaac — and not for its own benefit, but to assist another alien — Kavalier decides to have a conversation with the beast, starting by asking it to recite the digits of pi.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In one of the film’s least subtle moments, a dazed Bruce is startled to attention.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
The man, whose name was Mike, looked startled and confused.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
The man draws a sharp, startled breath.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
The ball bounced off the pavilion roof and into a bush near some tables where startled fans were eating.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
An Ohio woman ordered Charlie Kirk’s go-to Starbucks drink on Sunday evening — and was startled to find a hateful message written on the cup.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Steven reacts like a startled cat when Belly tells him, then pivots to comfort and action.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
But when expert judgment was most needed, the autopilot abruptly handed control back to the startled crew, and flooded the zone with urgent, confusing warnings.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
The Grammy-winning rapper surprises each of the startled women with a gift, a live beating heart, still pumping blood outside the body.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
The boy looked up mid-sob, startled.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Whether a pup bolts after a squirrel, slips its collar, or runs off after being startled, those first few minutes can feel endless.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
First baseman Michael Toglia covered his head, too, and was startled when the ball landed a few feet from him.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
In this episode, after Kirsch points out that the eyeball/sheep-thing intentionally startled and trapped Isaac — and not for its own benefit, but to assist another alien — Kavalier decides to have a conversation with the beast, starting by asking it to recite the digits of pi.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
After holding the mask down for a few seconds, Angel was pleasantly surprised by the results.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Was Laferte surprised to debut in the top 10?—
Pamela Bustios,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The move, widely seen as an abandonment of long-standing arms control traditions, has alarmed diplomats and security analysts worldwide.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The Crichton Trust’s lawyer Robert Klieger wasn’t so alarmed when contacted by Deadline on Wednesday.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the final two, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers stunned FC Dallas and San Diego FC, respectively, with stoppage-time equalizers, then victories in shootouts.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The capital’s development over the past eight years, despite sanctions and the extreme isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, stunned him.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Total revenue, which jumped 10% year-on-year in the third quarter on a constant currency basis, is expected to rise by a high single-digit percentage this year, while core earnings per share are forecast to jump by a low double-digit percentage.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The model then jumped onto a blue motorcycle, revved the engine and filled the room with smoke as a pole dancer covered in complete silver body paint began to spin in front of a guest list including photographer Myles Loftin, Head of State designer Taofeek Abijako, and Chxrry.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Malik’s boss is not happy that Malik doesn’t have a grip on the Crane brothers, though Malik assures him that Amos frightened Sarah into backing off — and that Dinah is tucked away at a safe house.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t be frightened, though, fans; The Parent Trap gal is still in the competition!—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The women, visitors from the countryside, seemed awed by everything.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Little Penn would be awed and humbled.—
Sophie Ansari,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The disaster forced terrified guests and hotel staff to leap from windows or dangle bedsheets to escape rooms engulfed in smoke and flames.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 1905, German zoologist Gustav Tornier described a live-bearing toad from Tanzania that amazed scientists of his time.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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