startling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstärt-liŋ How to pronounce startling (audio)
Definition of startlingnext
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness the startling news that my sister will be having a baby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

startling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of startle
1
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frightening
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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of startling
Adjective
In addition to the startling experience of touching the remains of an animal that lived hundreds of millions of years ago, contact with the Mastodonsaurus offers an opportunity to reflect on the future, those involved in the project said. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 One of the most startling photos was of Hernandez’s right index finger, which had been severed. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
Verb
Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
  1. surprising
  2. amazing
  3. jumping
  4. frightening
  5. shocking
  6. stunning
  7. leaping
  8. terrifying
Adjective
  • Perhaps more surprising is that the vast majority—70%—were employed, a share that has held steady, meaning co-residency is climbing owing to growth in adults with steady jobs rather than those looking for work.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • This is a terrific role for Woodall, with shades of his party-boy hustler in season two of The White Lotus, Sal’s loose-cannon volatility balanced by surprising loyalty to Tony.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Definition of amazing
Verb
  • Louisville's role as bourbon's home base keeps growing When visiting bourbon country, Louisville is typically a go-to jumping off point.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Zuckerberg acknowledged that jumping into the enterprise, where Meta has historically struggled, will require some hard work, and that the company has to learn how to do it.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Definition of jumping
Verb
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • This mixture of raucous comedy and unusually vivid war scenes was considered quite shocking for its time.
    — Tim Page, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026
  • The first story was set in the 1980s while the second volume, recently wrapped, was set in the 1990s, at the dawn of the Internet age and culminated with a shocking finale that left readers’ jaws on the forest floor.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026
Definition of shocking
Verb
  • Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of stunning
Verb
  • Pogačar answered those questions on Alpe d’Huez, leaping from the peloton at the foot of the climb in a bid to catch the breakaway, three and a half minutes up the road.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • Jorge Soler was hit by a pitch and Grissom sent a line drive off the right-field wall that eluded a leaping Jordan Walker.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of leaping
Verb
  • And there was Erling Haaland living his best Norwegian life, terrifying on the pitch and absurd off it, multiplying his stardom with a flamboyance and humor that didn’t detract from his serious talent.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • These get forwarded across the internet, and soon masses of young people are surging into an urban plaza or park, often terrifying any adult who happens to be nearby.
    — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of terrifying

Browse Nearby Words

startles
startling
starts
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Cite this Entry

“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on startling

Nglish: Translation of startling for Spanish Speakers

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