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
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The project, which Steinberger has rebranded multiple times—evolving from Clawdbot to Moltbot and finally to OpenClaw—largely owing to politics—has expanded at a pace that startles even seasoned AI experts.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
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
That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.
—Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The project, which Steinberger has rebranded multiple times—evolving from Clawdbot to Moltbot and finally to OpenClaw—largely owing to politics—has expanded at a pace that startles even seasoned AI experts.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
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
That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.
—Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startles
Verb
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The second thing that strikes me more and actually amazes me is the fact that this is a story, a trope, that is repeated in most of the presentation of Agnes Pockels.—
Mariel Carr,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
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Eva’s romance with her husband, Franklin Plaskett, delights and amazes her.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The uptick jumps to $490 million from matchday, broadcast and commercial revenues if the club can beat the odds and stay up in the Premier League for a second season.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
22 May 2026
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Two pilots will steer the ship, controlling boosters and hyperspace jumps; two gunners will defend the Millenium Falcon from enemy ships; and two engineers will ensure the Falcon remains intact while collecting bounty cargo, perhaps even calling on a small green friend along the way.—
Tiffany Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2026
Verb
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But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
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The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Additionally, the uptick comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, highlighting trade performance in the region is less vulnerable to external supply shocks.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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Analysts have raised concerns about concentration risks in South Korea's stock market, with an overreliance on a small group of companies raising the risk of volatility and vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, including a slowdown in data-center spending.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Frankie Grande stuns in a velvet and diamond-studded emsemble for the premiere of Broadway's Titanique on April 12.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Trump's attack stuns the world.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The public scares me, mobs scare me.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
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That's what scares people who spoke with CBS News Baltimore.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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What surprises me now is that value-add is becoming one too.—
Harlem Capital,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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However, his decision becomes even more complicated when their foster son, Isaiah (Hero Hunter), surprises them.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Frankly, the thought of being beaten by the subscribers terrifies me.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Aubry Bracco is the kind of player who terrifies a certain (male) demographic of Survivor alumni.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startles. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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