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startlement

noun

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
  1. astonishment
  2. amazement
  3. shock
  4. surprise
Noun
  • When Hinton quit in May 2023, AI was mostly a story of astonishment.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Then, as the sparks fly behind him and the crowd screams in astonishment, the throat-busting roar of triumph.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of astonishment
Noun
  • At every turn, and every question, Carr gave OBJ his props, and expressed amazement that that ball was caught.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That moment, consummated with five minutes left in SJCC’s 41-21 loss to College of the Redwoods, was the culmination of weeks of media hype, expectation and shock and amazement from those across the country who became aware of Buzzard’s story.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of amazement
Noun
  • Real inflation — the kind that keeps going and going — does not come from energy, tariff, or other supply shocks.
    — Kelly Evans, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • At the rear is a triple-adjustable shock with preload, high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • Laurie Whitwell Move would fit Madrid’s youth investment Madrid’s willingness to invest so heavily in such a young player is no longer a surprise.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The 36-year-old pop star made a surprise appearance alongside longtime friend Mariska Hargitay in a hilarious sketch during the 2026 Emmy Awards.
    — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprise
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

startled
startlement
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Cite this Entry

“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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