as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
the look of startlement in her eyes when she found herself at the wedding seated next to her ex-boyfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startlement
Noun
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The image quickly drew astonishment and amusement from Reddit users, who could not believe the apparent lack of awareness—or concern—by the neighbors responsible.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025 -
Moments later, to her astonishment, Ducky climbed onto the front seat and gave a clear, unmistakable alert.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Here, much to the amazement of onlookers, sacrificial animals such as bulls would drop dead after breathing in noxious carbon dioxide fumes swirling up from below.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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Much to Altshuler’s amazement, Time was willing to consider it, but not if the Newsweek cover was going forward.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The actors then check her vitals and read paperwork before giving the star a major shock.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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After a volatile 2025 marked by persistent geopolitical shocks, the early days of the new year suggest continuity rather than relief.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Half the enjoyment of these toys is being able to carefully break open the egg to reveal the surprise creature inside.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The design from Takeshi Kata is intensifying hyper-realistic and comes with a surprise sting in its tail, not to mention some gorgeous vistas from the great Chicago lighting designer Heather Gilbert, who send shafts of light into the play’s motel room of the paranoid.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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