1
as in amazed
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in jumped
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frightened
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in surprised
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in alarmed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of startled
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
The other child was still inside the minivan when the thief hopped into the front seat and drove off before the startled dad had time to react, police said.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
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
Sleep may be disturbed by a pet's movements, and dogs may bite if startled.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 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
Topa startled by knee pain Trying to close out the game, right-hander Justin Topa made a pitch in the ninth inning and felt a pain in his knee similar to the patellar tendon injury that ruined most of his 2024 season.
—David Brown, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
Then the Buckel brothers arrived, intent on doing the same, and Smith was startled.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Another Epstein accuser looked up, startled, to see where the deafening sound was coming from.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
The other child was still inside the minivan when the thief hopped into the front seat and drove off before the startled dad had time to react, police said.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
Sleep may be disturbed by a pet's movements, and dogs may bite if startled.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 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
Topa startled by knee pain Trying to close out the game, right-hander Justin Topa made a pitch in the ninth inning and felt a pain in his knee similar to the patellar tendon injury that ruined most of his 2024 season.
—David Brown, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
Then the Buckel brothers arrived, intent on doing the same, and Smith was startled.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Another Epstein accuser looked up, startled, to see where the deafening sound was coming from.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Verb
-
Plainly, Miami was surprised by how Louisville came out, Cards coach Jeff Brohm one-up on Cristobal’s staff.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
-
But one woman's response to a fairly common interview question has surprised viewers on social media, leaving them in hysterics with her peculiar answer.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hernandez belted a home run as part of a two-run top of the second inning that gave the Dodgers the lead after the Brewers jumped ahead with a Jackson Chourio solo homer in their first trip to the plate.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
After Walmart released the news on Tuesday, its share price jumped 5%.—
Serenah McKay,
Arkansas Online,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Surveys have shown that lawsuit ads have frightened people away from taking prescribed medications for serious conditions ranging from diabetes to depression.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Like the Earth sign, the righteous dog detective Scooby doesn't appreciate confrontation and gets frightened in scary situations.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When the bear didn’t even slow, Steve was alarmed.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
-
But fans were alarmed this week when one of Parton’s 11 siblings, Freida, posted on Facebook asking for prayers for her superstar sister.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through it all, your professionalism, determination, dedication, and spirit of collaboration have inspired me and amazed me time and time again.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There are certainly no major factors like physical abuse during our childhood; however, our mother had some psychological problems and showed some anger and paranoia symptoms, which scared us as children and were overt enough that many in our town knew about her.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
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There are certainly no major factors like physical abuse during our childhood, however, our mother had some psychological problems and showed some anger and paranoia symptoms, which scared us as children and were overt enough that many in our town knew about her.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
At the same time, completely terrified and anxious.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
In May 2023, a homeowner in Spokane, Washington, was left terrified after two large moose appeared outside their home.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This revelation left the family stunned.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Byrne plays a mother whose precarious housing situation and family health crisis push her to the edge; Slater is her husband, away on business and — upon his return — stunned to realize just how bad things have gotten.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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