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
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Newton appeared startled but was compliant as she was handcuffed.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The Australia wicketkeeper arrived at the crease at Adelaide Oval with his team four down in the first over after lunch and in a state of startled disbelief.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
Out with a potential love interest one evening, in a packed Manhattan comedy club, Tess is startled when Alex strides up to the microphone.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
In Less Than Angels (1955), working-class Digby is startled when his roommate Mark picks up a debutante.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The singer appeared startled as she was abruptly pulled aside by castmate Cynthia Erivo, who reacted instantly—grabbing her arm and guiding her out of the intruder’s path.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
The animal was startled due to the natural disaster alerts set off by the hackers, leaving Blythe unconscious and alone.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
One sequence sees Nora, seized by stage fright, bolt across the theater like a startled deer.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Leibfried was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in the building and was startled by a loud bang that emanated from the closed door of an apartment.
—Peter Passi, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Jamie, the dog-sitter, is startled that Pam is back so soon.
—Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
DeepSeek startled Silicon Valley last year with a model that rivals ChatGPT but built with far less money and computing muscle.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
And Shakers are celibate – one of the practices that most startled their neighbors in 18th- and 19th-century America.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
The national demand for the film startled Snyder, who at the time of the interview had more than 125 art house cinemas lined up to show the film.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 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
Adjective
According to a Facebook post shared by Friends of Horsey Seals, the startled angler had just caught a fish and was attempting to place it into his net when the seal suddenly popped up and went for the same catch.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Newton appeared startled but was compliant as she was handcuffed.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The Australia wicketkeeper arrived at the crease at Adelaide Oval with his team four down in the first over after lunch and in a state of startled disbelief.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
Out with a potential love interest one evening, in a packed Manhattan comedy club, Tess is startled when Alex strides up to the microphone.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
In Less Than Angels (1955), working-class Digby is startled when his roommate Mark picks up a debutante.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The singer appeared startled as she was abruptly pulled aside by castmate Cynthia Erivo, who reacted instantly—grabbing her arm and guiding her out of the intruder’s path.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
The animal was startled due to the natural disaster alerts set off by the hackers, leaving Blythe unconscious and alone.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
One sequence sees Nora, seized by stage fright, bolt across the theater like a startled deer.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
Authorities in southern Colorado are investigating after a sudden explosion damaged a building and startled nearby residents.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Leibfried was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in the building and was startled by a loud bang that emanated from the closed door of an apartment.
—Peter Passi, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Jamie, the dog-sitter, is startled that Pam is back so soon.
—Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
DeepSeek startled Silicon Valley last year with a model that rivals ChatGPT but built with far less money and computing muscle.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
And Shakers are celibate – one of the practices that most startled their neighbors in 18th- and 19th-century America.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
The national demand for the film startled Snyder, who at the time of the interview had more than 125 art house cinemas lined up to show the film.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
Friends and social status are becoming increasingly important, so don't be surprised if your child lies to impress their peers.—
Sarah Vanbuskirk,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Publix customers pulling up to the store at the Palms at Town & Country Mall in Kendall for their weekend shopping might have been surprised to see signs and banners on the front windows announcing that this anchor is closing to build a new store on-site.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Store employees became alarmed after Vandenberg repeatedly spoke about throwing fireworks at police and asked whether the store was going to track him, prompting them to record his license plate and contact law enforcement.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Given the less-than-one-half-inch insect’s track record of devastating oaks since being first detected in San Diego County in 2008, scientists and land stewards are alarmed — and working to contain the outbreak.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Archaeologists stunned by ancient skeleton showing man's survival after lion attack.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In the 1995 classic Clueless, Silverstone stunned as Cher Horowitz in a red Alaïa mini-dress.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Across 33 non-College Football Playoff games, viewership jumped 13% year-over-year.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This year, enrollment jumped to nearly 87%, up from just over 60% the previous year.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And my father—lovable but imposing, a strapping six feet three inches tall with a thick, bristly mustache and a rumbling Sergeant Schultz accent that frightened my friends half to death—loved to tell stories.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Fortune had reported in its investigation that people within the agency were frightened of examining Boring Company after two staffers who worked on the case had been disciplined.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
From decades old stalwarts that awed generations of diners to relative newcomers that arrived boasting critical acclaim, here are a few of the closures that hit hardest in 2025.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The Aggies lauded Kentucky as a great team and were still laughing in disbelief after the match, awed by their own accomplishments.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Understandably terrified, Scott-Miller closed the store to protect her and her family’s safety and peace of mind.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When workers are terrified, turnover rises, productivity falls and long-term investment stalls.—
Anabel Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The universe amazed me yet again.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Nov. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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