1
as in surprised
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in alarmed
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of startled
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
If guests are startled — or, more likely, amused — at your father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Their physical reactions to being startled were stronger, and their heart rates were higher.
—Marta Hill, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
Revell was startled to find just one Northern California company, Devastating Pyrotechnics, had imported from T-SKY – and the company lacked a license to sell consumer fireworks in California.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The fish was equally startled by me.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
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
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.
—Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
After several chest compressions, Briana startled awake and cried.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
When vertebrate animals are startled, neurons in a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus release norepinephrine, a neuromodulator associated with arousal, along fibers that fan out across the brain.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The exchange startled Loftus, who this month shared the correspondence with the Orlando Sentinel.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The e-bike collided with the car, and the driver, who police said was startled by the collision, accelerated across the street, killing Ayden and injuring a 6-year-old girl, both of whom were with their family in front of the restaurant.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Dwayne was startled when a scout approached him and referred to his son as an NBA prospect.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
If guests are startled — or, more likely, amused — at your father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Their physical reactions to being startled were stronger, and their heart rates were higher.
—Marta Hill, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
Revell was startled to find just one Northern California company, Devastating Pyrotechnics, had imported from T-SKY – and the company lacked a license to sell consumer fireworks in California.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The fish was equally startled by me.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
My cat was startled by a loud noise from outside and ran across the apartment with the needle in her mouth.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.
—Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
After several chest compressions, Briana startled awake and cried.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
When vertebrate animals are startled, neurons in a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus release norepinephrine, a neuromodulator associated with arousal, along fibers that fan out across the brain.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The exchange startled Loftus, who this month shared the correspondence with the Orlando Sentinel.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The e-bike collided with the car, and the driver, who police said was startled by the collision, accelerated across the street, killing Ayden and injuring a 6-year-old girl, both of whom were with their family in front of the restaurant.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
Don't be surprised when that stubbornness ends up being one of their best character traits.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Everyone, including production, was surprised to find out what had transpired.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The experiment ended early because the researchers became alarmed by how fast previously ordinary people devolved into violence when shielded from accountability.—
William Robiner,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
-
So don’t be alarmed because this is Mother Nature’s master plan in action.—
Jill Schildhouse,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In September, parishioners were stunned when the archdiocese announced that Storey had resigned amid a criminal investigation by the Prairie Village Police Department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The killings stunned Austin and became one of the city’s most notorious unsolved cases.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Reduce your high-rate debts Consumer debt has been rising year after year, and credit card balances alone have jumped dramatically in this economic climate.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Whereas boys’ participation in all sports has remained stagnant, the number of girls has jumped by 35,000.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That habit didn’t endear the Alspaws to anyone nearby, including one neighbor who threatened to shoot Brittany after the Alspaws frightened his horses.—
Tessa Stuart,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Konstantin, 4, a sociable boy, is often frightened by loud noises and guards, his parents said.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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
-
Rightly disappointed, Warren wasn’t entirely terrified.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
There is a 9-year-old girl sitting terrified and tearful and blaming herself for wanting to see Disney.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What amazed me the most was the remains of what appeared to be a tall conifer — possibly a cypress or cedar — on Edgar Street in Pacific Palisades, where the Palisades fire ravaged an entire street.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The universe amazed me yet again.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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