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
This curveball makes for some startling imagery, but doesn’t emerge from any particular circumstance of this dystopian scenario, and doesn’t illuminate anything about it either. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 After the startling cancellation, vendors, artists and crew were out thousands of dollars in unpaid advances, after spending on rehearsing and traveling to the festival. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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
  • For something with only 256 pixels to play with, people have found a surprising number of things to put on them.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 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
  • Fellow cybersecurity firm Okta also reported strong results after the bell, with shares jumping roughly 20% following a raise in guidance.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But the president's endorsement didn't stop a number of other Republicans from jumping into the race, including Norman.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 26 Aug. 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
  • As men, women and children flooded across the border between Morocco and Spain, into the autonomous city of Ceuta at the end of July, European populists and anti-immigrant politicians capitalized on the shocking images of human desperation.
    — Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The number was so shocking that the company became a symbol of industrial power and financial concentration.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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
  • Anderson tipped his cap in the third inning after Arozarena made a leaping catch at the left-field wall to take a home run away from Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Moore was hurt pressuring Giants quarterback Jameis Winston and leaping into the air to contest Winston’s throw to the end zone.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of leaping
Verb
  • For Thomas, unpacking what went wrong goes well beyond the headless bodies, terrifying phone calls and dead ends.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Spotify is terrifying much of the podcast industry with a tiny little widget.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 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 30 Aug. 2026.

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