startlement

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
  • This article aims to challenge this prevailing sense of astonishment.
    David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Breeding for More Than Just Color Mr. Baker could have supplied his customers with a flashy assortment of coleus ordered from wholesale sources, skipping years of effort (but missing all the astonishment).
    Margaret Roach, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Officers evacuated students from classrooms, as students walked away in shock.
    Graham Hurley, Aaron Fisher and Katherine Jennings, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Julian arrives at the bank as Olympia is standing in the vault, looking at the papers in shock.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Though their time in space was short, all six stepped away from the experience feeling a serene sense of awe and humble amazement.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Fishburne, 63, says in amazement when seeing the photo, which showed his father wearing glasses and a black suit.
    Sharareh Drury, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Putin on Saturday claimed his country’s forces have recaptured Kursk, the border region where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive last year, though Kyiv insists its troops are fiercely battling to preserve their foothold in the territory.
    Helen Regan and Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The moon meeting Uranus can bring some surprise news out of the blue.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
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.

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“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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