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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
  • Much commentary has consisted of expressions of astonishment.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • When Hinton quit in May 2023, AI was mostly a story of astonishment.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of astonishment
Noun
  • Former Fox Sports talk-show host Skip Bayless watched Mahomes carve up the Colts defense with amazement.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of amazement
Noun
  • It’s equipped with a cushioned running belt and shock-absorbing pads for smooth walks.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
  • All this sets the stage for more political swings in the coming years, as climate change and geopolitical shifts generate shocks at a pace difficult for any government to contend with.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • What can come as a surprise is a price influenced by someone's browsing habits, buying history or other personal information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • At the August 2026 launch of Eliza’s rosé, Lala V, The Mirror asked about her cousin Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprise return to the United Kingdom.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 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
startlements
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Cite this Entry

“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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