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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Whispers ripple in astonishment, and nods of approval are seen throughout the audience.—
Zoe Bahjat,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026 -
To his astonishment, the country’s Central Statistics Office had dropped price tracking of the nation’s most popular beer in 2011.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the clip of the close encounter, Sterman watches back in amazement as the whale continues to breach, its tail creating ripples through the North Pacific Ocean.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
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There was 8-year-old Landyn Kelly from Henderson, Nevada, rapping 40-foot putts toward the hole with 90-year-old Player watching with amazement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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New Environment If your plant has gone through a significant change in its environment recently—colder or warmer temperatures, a sudden lack of humidity, a change in light levels or watering habits—the shock could cause leaf drop.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
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That’s why most economists agree the oil price shock from the Iran war probably won’t end in a recession.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Indoors, reportedly, one came across a corresponding ease, to the surprise of outsiders.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Israel has been hunting him and his comrades, picking them off by airstrike and drone, in surprise attacks that often kill civilians alongside them.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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