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

Relevance

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
Oddly drawn to disconnect, horror fans crave novel experiences that feel both startling and strangely familiar. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 The latest — and, to Rebecca, most startling — blow landed this month. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 June 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
  • Irving Stone’s Michelangelo novel, The Agony and the Ecstasy, introduced me to the idea of the artist, the miracle of a person bringing something wholly new and surprising into the world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • There wasn’t much that was surprising, though a complimentary shoe-shining and pant-pressing service was a nice touch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 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
  • The suspect allegedly attempted to flee again by jumping fences and ignoring the officers’ commands to stop, but was apprehended and placed in custody.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Their story is told in a nonlinear fashion, with the actors jumping between time frames throughout the nearly two-hour runtime.
    — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 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
  • The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Here’s a look back at the most infamous, shocking, blood-curdling or mysterious crimes and disasters that captured the attention of the nation — and the world.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 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
  • Jordan Henderson hurt his left forearm leaping over field-level billboards to celebrate the win over Mexico and is out the rest of the World Cup after undergoing surgery.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • However, Tolbert raced over and made a leaping catch to negate extra bases.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of leaping
Verb
  • 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
  • Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and also terrifying with a 4-year-old along.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Definition of terrifying

Browse Nearby Words

startles
startling
starts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on startling

Nglish: Translation of startling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All