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
Bragg poeticized his regionally predictable subjects with startling particularity. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 This opens the story up to startling confessional interactions, remarkable archive footage and a high-stakes present day search. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 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
  • The claim that mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in mental health disorders as well as physical ones is surprising to many people.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Louis-Dreyfus works to make Polly relatable, a surprising choice for one of television’s most astringent comic presences.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 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 latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The bill was renamed in June after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India, died while jumping after his mother when their carriage horse bolted on a sightseeing tour in the park.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 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 mother of a toddler who was found breathing in a hospital morgue hours after being pronounced dead is speaking out about the shocking incident.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sunday’s shocking loss to the Arizona Cardinals dropped Los Angeles to 2-4, and, suddenly, a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations is fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocking
Verb
  • Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • 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
  • The team assembles, jumping off lifeguard towers, leaping over beach patrons, and, of course, running and diving in slow motion to make the rescue.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
  • After Mesa's homer gave the Rays a 4-2 lead, Anthony Volpe appeared to hit a two-run shot against Griffin Jax with two outs in the bottom half as a fan reached over the left-field wall and caught the ball over the glove of a leaping Mesa.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of leaping
Verb
  • Set nearly two decades after the previous installment, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) faces the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge and betrayal lurks in every shadow.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Though privacy concerns around these agents’ access may be terrifying in their own right, for now the utopian vision seems to be winning.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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