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 her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
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Personality-wise, Luca amazes me.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s a close call when Dick opens the cargo door and nearly jumps out of the plane, but Leroy stops him just in time.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The story jumps back and forth through time and across continents, but Raja’s sensitive and ultimately optimistic point of view is a gripping anchor.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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What specifically frightens you?—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For someone used to orchestrating cinematic shocks behind the scenes, Moore suddenly found himself on the receiving end of one, and fans were left stunned as the season’s power balance shifted.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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The geological setting means that moderate and strong earthquakes are frequent, and the region is among the world’s most active, as highlighted by decades of seismic history and recent similar shocks in the region.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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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The dinner occasion is Allura’s fifth wedding anniversary to considerably younger football superstar Chase Munroe (Matthew Noszka), who surprises her with a whopping great rock that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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The thing that surprises me every night is how heavy the dress is.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
7 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2025.
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