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
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Recent Examples of startled
Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The attack took place during a meeting of about 30 members of the party's youth wing, who were startled but unharmed, Jetten said.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Henley wrenched away from her mother's grip, turned, and darted up the stairs again, leaving Emily and Kate in startled silence.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Steve Miklos remembers feeling a bit startled when former Orange Lutheran athletic director Jim Kunau contacted him about becoming the school’s softball coach.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Miss Manners was only startled, not traumatized, and fortunately was able to maintain her grateful smile.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Scared stink bugs will fall when startled, so use a container to catch them and then release them outdoors.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
The startled 20-year-old mom ran into a nearby bodega with Kaori still with her in the stroller, police sources said.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
While walking on the pier, Gorman was startled to find Medina, wearing all black and a ski mask, hiding near the lighthouse.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
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
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The missiles startled an Israeli public that has endured comparatively few casualties in recent weeks thanks to the country’s formidable air defenses, frequently tested across many years by rockets from militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
When startled, silver carp can leap several feet out of the water and injure boaters.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Stock markets started Monday with significant losses as investors were startled by the spike in oil and gas prices.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The attack took place during a meeting of about 30 members of the party’s youth wing, who were startled but unharmed, Jetten said.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The attack took place during a meeting of about 30 members of the party's youth wing, who were startled but unharmed, Jetten said.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Henley wrenched away from her mother's grip, turned, and darted up the stairs again, leaving Emily and Kate in startled silence.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Steve Miklos remembers feeling a bit startled when former Orange Lutheran athletic director Jim Kunau contacted him about becoming the school’s softball coach.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Miss Manners was only startled, not traumatized, and fortunately was able to maintain her grateful smile.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Scared stink bugs will fall when startled, so use a container to catch them and then release them outdoors.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
The startled 20-year-old mom ran into a nearby bodega with Kaori still with her in the stroller, police sources said.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
While walking on the pier, Gorman was startled to find Medina, wearing all black and a ski mask, hiding near the lighthouse.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Victor turned to her, startled.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
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
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The missiles startled an Israeli public that has endured comparatively few casualties in recent weeks thanks to the country’s formidable air defenses, frequently tested across many years by rockets from militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
When startled, silver carp can leap several feet out of the water and injure boaters.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Stock markets started Monday with significant losses as investors were startled by the spike in oil and gas prices.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
When told of his dismissal, Morey was surprised and expressed disappointment but was understanding.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
What surprised researchers wasn’t the presence of microplastics, but the volume.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Erin McClymont’s laboratory has six kitchen freezers, each alarmed.—
Hannah Richter,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
-
Artificial intelligence, far-right ideologies, voracious capitalism — all of it makes Martel alarmed, seeing it as pushing us collectively to the brink of collapse.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the officials, who works in cybersecurity, was stunned by her remark; his office’s previous work with CISA and federal law enforcement involved reporting death threats against elections officials and cyber risks.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Celebrini, the top pick in the 2024 NHL draft, was at the 2025 tournament on a team that included Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, but the Canadians were stunned 2-1 by Denmark in the quarterfinals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
After the United States and Iran failed to agree on the peace proposal on May 10, oil prices jumped $3 a barrel.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Monthly car payments have jumped by $390 to $525 in the same period, but growing earnings have meant that the payment-to-income ratio has remained at around 10%.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
Lee Cronin was both flattered and frightened when Jason Blum suggested titling his The Mummy reimagining as Lee Cronin’s The Mummy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Castro, who spent the day with Mejia and often translated for her, described Mejia as awed and giddy throughout the day.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
And the second-to-none acoustics, with 10,000 state-of-the-art fiber panels that project sound throughout the theater, will leave you awed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The four lead the group of terrified and tiny boys, some who look as young or four- or five-years-old.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
What really amazed the animal lover was Bow's loyalty to Shy, even though the dogs had only known each other for a day.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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