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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of startling
Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 June 2025
What’s new and startling is the revelation that the Bar gave her a free pass by rejecting two previous complaints.
—The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
At a news conference Thursday, Mayor Karen Bass made a startling claim.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
The political center has shifted Rubenstein’s way with startling speed over the past 18 months.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Adjective
One expert vehicle reviewer learned first-hand that these features could lead to startling driving experiences.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 June 2025
What’s new and startling is the revelation that the Bar gave her a free pass by rejecting two previous complaints.
—The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
At a news conference Thursday, Mayor Karen Bass made a startling claim.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
The political center has shifted Rubenstein’s way with startling speed over the past 18 months.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
Adjective
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The result is an intimate, melancholy, frank, and surprising paean to reading and books.—
Donna Seaman
June 18,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2025
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Even new head coach Emma Hayes’ surprising decision to leave Alex Morgan off the 2024 Olympic roster was largely covered as a pure soccer decision (and rightly so).—
Meg Linehan,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, McIlroy blew up for a double bogey on the first hole before jumping out to a massive lead.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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By jumping to agentic, Amazon can make home assistants that are capable and conversational like ChatGPT but also have a framework for communicating and controlling external services, as Alexa and Siri can.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Reed runs the floor, zips around as a screener and is disruptive on defense (4.3 steals per 100 from a center is amazing).—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Look at some of the amazing items stolen in the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Because of their tiny size, these monkeys are incredible jumpers, capable of leaping up to 16 feet.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2025
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The latter was dismissed by another leaping salmon catch by Glenn Phillips.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This stunning three-bedroom apartment was recently fully renovated, but mercifully, the original wall frescoes and vaulted ceilings were preserved.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
23 June 2025
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The performance stretches out for a stunning 14 minutes.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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