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
-
At each new hour, the numeral jumps into place.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Oklahoma jumps after a comfortable win against Michigan.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Design Portfolio Glide Paths Start conservatively and gradually increase equity exposure to reduce early-retirement shocks.—
Andrew Whalen,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
These are families and investors looking for protection from inflation, taxation, and systemic shocks.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chamarel, Mauritius Spilling across the volcanic hills of southwest Mauritius, Chamarel stuns with its terrain—Seven Coloured Earth ripples in bands of violet, ochre, and rust, shifting under the tropical sun like a living canvas.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is a massive 4K television that stuns with vibrant colors, hands-free voice control, and a $701 discount.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Persistent, sticky inflation is what scares us.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But for both actors, their horror movies are more about love than scares.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The first time terrifies every founder.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The moped-like sound of the Shaheds whooshing above the rooftops still unsettles but no longer terrifies.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
If that surprises you, don’t feel alarmed.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Possibly, a relative, neighbor or daily contact will do something that surprises you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startles. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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