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
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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
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
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
Moments later, Bell and her sister were startled by a gunshot and found that the boy, Demeir Aston Douglas, shot himself between the eyes in his bedroom, according to prosecutors.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s the clear takeaway from HomeGoods parent TJX’s strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings and confirmed more recently by e-commerce giant Wayfair’s second quarter financial report, which startled Wall Street with a robust and unexpected 5% surge in second quarter revenue.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The cars are startled by a ghost car named Brenda (a perfectly imperfect name), who introduces them to other friendly ghost vehicles, most of whom have experienced deadly crashes and now honk funny.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Three descendants of one of those original colonies were startled by the whir of Captain Brett’s fan motor and, with Busby Berkeley synchronicity, dived from the bank into the muddy water.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The horse, Master Zack, appeared to be startled by a sudden movement made by the horse next to it, which had anticipated the starting gates opening a moment before the gates actually did.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Cigarette beetles are 1/8-inch brownish bugs with a long rounded to oval shape; when startled, the adults tuck in their head and legs and remain still.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
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
Moments later, Bell and her sister were startled by a gunshot and found that the boy, Demeir Aston Douglas, shot himself between the eyes in his bedroom, according to prosecutors.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s the clear takeaway from HomeGoods parent TJX’s strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings and confirmed more recently by e-commerce giant Wayfair’s second quarter financial report, which startled Wall Street with a robust and unexpected 5% surge in second quarter revenue.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The cars are startled by a ghost car named Brenda (a perfectly imperfect name), who introduces them to other friendly ghost vehicles, most of whom have experienced deadly crashes and now honk funny.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Three descendants of one of those original colonies were startled by the whir of Captain Brett’s fan motor and, with Busby Berkeley synchronicity, dived from the bank into the muddy water.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The horse, Master Zack, appeared to be startled by a sudden movement made by the horse next to it, which had anticipated the starting gates opening a moment before the gates actually did.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Cigarette beetles are 1/8-inch brownish bugs with a long rounded to oval shape; when startled, the adults tuck in their head and legs and remain still.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Verb
-
Lead prosecutor Georgia Cappleman told reporters after the trial ended Thursday night that she was surprised by the decision but understood it.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But in an Economist profile on the Arizona expansion, TSMC CFO Wendell Huang said he was surprised by America’s onerous and lengthy permitting process compared to that of Taiwan.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Huawei's market share in China jumped to 18% in the second quarter versus 15% in the same period last year, and the company is now the biggest smartphone vendor in China, Counterpoint Research data showed.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In July, listings for single-family homes jumped 28 percent year-over-year, to 11,800.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Family pets, especially dogs, are frightened by the noise and will hide or try to run away.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
In the first Nobody, Odenkirk’s Hutch has to reignite the sleeping assassin within himself after his family was frightened by a botched home invasion.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His promotion of conspiracy theories claiming vaccines cause autism, linking antidepressants to school shootings and even suggesting WiFi causes cancer alarmed healthcare professionals and Democratic lawmakers.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
For Salvadorans and deportees alike, what awaits inside these prisons has alarmed advocates.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Having an almost 80-year-old actor at the heart of the film and in almost every scene could be a huge undertaking, but Touzani says Maura’s vitality amazed her.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His home’s security system was triggered and reportedly scared off the burglar, and nothing was stolen from the property.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Some users were scared by the object.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ed and Lorraine are the beautiful, tragic saviors of a terrified family confronted with a deep evil, strengthened by the power of their love for each other.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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Parents are terrified, doctors are overwhelmed, and public confidence in our nation’s health leadership has collapsed.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Twenty years ago this month, UCD stunned FBS-level Stanford with a late winning drive on the road in one of the great moments in program history.—
Joe Davidosn,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Chili’s has stunned the market with same-store sales surging 24% and its parent’s stock climbing 300% over the past three years.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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