1
as in amazes
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in frightens
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of startles
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startles
Verb
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What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
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What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Boitano said Liu was exceptional in her early years, performing jumps no other skater could execute at the time.—
Janelle Davis,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … DRAMATIC RESCUE – Viral video captures moments after mother jumps into water to save daughter.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Baker says what frightens her most is whether younger generations will ever be able to step off that wheel — to build generational wealth through homeownership.—
Elizabeth Prann,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
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Within my book, one of the things that frightens me most is the fact that with censorship, there’s often not a clear red line, right?—
Fiction Non Fiction
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This is not an outright Sell signal by any means, more a potential emerging issue to be aware of, suggesting the market has a thinner psychological and positioning cushion underneath it to absorb any shocks.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
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The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Take the quiz here … RETIREMENT PLEA – Chiefs coach's blunt message to Josh Allen after Bills victory stuns NFL fans.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Among them, Colleen Allen’s debut velvet maxi stuns in its simplicity, and Dries Van Noten’s bohemian take, fresh off the FW25 runway, makes a convincing case for maximalism.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s something that scares me a little bit about not just theater, but people giving any opinions about any business.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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From speculating that what scares people the most is anything natural (which can’t be emulated) to advising never listen to a designer, especially a man designer, Jacobs is direct.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Equipment is available at no cost, a benefit that Sandoval said often surprises visitors.—
Sierra Knoch,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
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During the celebration, Dale Bradley (James Jordan) surprises him with a Rolex Daytona Panda, a gift valued at roughly $30,000.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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While early allergen introduction is not without complexities, the measurable reduction in peanut allergies—once the most common pediatric food allergy and one that terrifies allergy parents—signals a milestone in preventive care.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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Jesus may haunt Wendell, but Wendell terrifies Lee.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startles. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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