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
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
The first of the three legs in an inaugural fundraiser called the Wagora Bike Ride unspools along rocky red clay roads and through rutted jeep tracks, past braying herds of zebra and startled warthogs.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Jordan was visibly startled when Davidson yelled from the auditorium as audience members gasped.
—John Ross, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Dwayne was startled when a scout approached him and referred to his son as an NBA prospect.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 7 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
She was startled by a knock at the door.
—Literary Hub, 1 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
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
The first of the three legs in an inaugural fundraiser called the Wagora Bike Ride unspools along rocky red clay roads and through rutted jeep tracks, past braying herds of zebra and startled warthogs.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Jordan was visibly startled when Davidson yelled from the auditorium as audience members gasped.
—John Ross, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Dwayne was startled when a scout approached him and referred to his son as an NBA prospect.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Horner dropped a package, McGuire said, and was startled by the team.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 7 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
She was startled by a knock at the door.
—Literary Hub, 1 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
-
Experts Say Curiosity Drove Inky, Not Distress Aquarium officials were not entirely surprised by the escape, noting that octopuses are known for their curiosity, problem-solving abilities and capacity to slip through extremely small spaces.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
-
People were genuinely surprised to see David sitting happily among these big animals and see the babies.—
Olivia Morelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On the campaign trail, school board members and alarmed parents predicted marijuana would increasingly find its way into the hands of children and stoned drivers would cause more traffic collisions.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In the 1850s, company managers were alarmed to find out shipping workers were opening crates and marking P&G containers with stars to help coworkers who couldn’t read.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That result has stunned pancreatic cancer specialists.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One last thing Remember the wolf that stunned everyone by visiting Los Angeles County?—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Players jumped up to celebrate, realizing seconds later that the fight isn’t over.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Cuba’s tourism revenue jumped 15% in the first half of 2016, and a record 4 million foreigners visited that year.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 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 pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ashley takes some of the other women to her favorite beach, and Alicia, who is used to her country club, is terrified.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For twelve seasons, Kim has amazed us with her fierce and raw portrayal of Teddy Altman.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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