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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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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Just as Stiller is about to finish his thought, a media member jumps into the interview with their phone out and asks Stiller for a shoutout to Puerto Rico.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
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The show consisted of several competition-style events including races, jumps, doughnuts, high-flyers motocross 70-foot jumps and some serious car smashing.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
7 June 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
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Europe is particularly vulnerable to energy shocks as a major net energy importer.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
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The years since 2020 can be read as a sequence of shocks.—
Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
27 May 2026
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Torch Lake in Michigan stuns with its clear turquoise water, glacial origins, and iconic summer sandbar scene.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Gather five of the most relevant comedians working today and ask what scares them most, and the answers vary.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
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Maybe the strait’s name—Death’s Door—scares them off.—
Charles Usher,
Midwest Living,
26 May 2026
Verb
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If those dominoes start to fall in a way that surprises Wall Street, reactions will be much more adverse.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
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Now, for the part that surprises most homeowners.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
28 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 10 Jun. 2026.
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