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
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Recent Examples of startles
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
-
What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Remus, who is now 5, amazes his family by reading books on his own, a development which Whittenburg attributes in part to the Imagination Library.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
These reservoirs will unlikely see significant water level jumps immediately after the snowstorm.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Lastly, Grindelwald-First has about 35 miles of runs and a snow park with a 426-foot-long, 18-foot-high halfpipe—perfect for winter athletes who want to practice their tricks and jumps.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
What specifically frightens you?—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Machined from artisan-grade materials, the HTI chassis is designed to absorb shocks, withstand abuse, and perform under the harshest combat and environmental conditions.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Prolonged uncertainty, more protectionism, and labor supply shocks could reduce growth.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Suiting With a Pop Greta Lee always stuns on the red carpet—but her street style game is just as good.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
17 Oct. 2025
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However, the show is pulled off without a hitch and Gigi Hadid stuns as its closer in an emerald green gown.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nice to know there’s stuff that scares him.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something about kidnapping that scares the fear out of you, Goldberg-Polin says.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jesus may haunt Wendell, but Wendell terrifies Lee.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Even those who like parts of his agenda have been stumped about how to talk him out of the stuff that terrifies them — whiplash tariffs and a labor-depleting immigration crackdown.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startles. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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