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
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
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
On the morning of September 6, 1986, a farmer driving a combine through his cornfield in Summerfield, Illinois, made a startling discovery.
—Audrey Abrahams, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Saturday, startling his sister.
—Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Adjective
The trailer shows Ritchson and his fellow soldiers on the run after their startling discovery.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
On the morning of September 6, 1986, a farmer driving a combine through his cornfield in Summerfield, Illinois, made a startling discovery.
—Audrey Abrahams, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Saturday, startling his sister.
—Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
Adjective
-
So when parts of Florida see snow twice within days and Buffalo, New York comes close to breaking its record for days at 20 degrees or below, questions aren’t surprising and misunderstandings are common about the differences between daily weather and long-term climate.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The fact that this sartorial conspiracy theory took off online is surprising and not.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
-
It must be understood that historical references to this team are like prompts on an online dating profile — not under any circumstances to be taken seriously, but a fun jumping off point.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the years before, international migration had been swiftly increasing, jumping from about 43,000 in 2021 to more than 350,000 in 2024.—
William Tong,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman entered the city’s crowded mayoral race on Saturday, marking a shocking and last-minute move to challenge longtime ally Mayor Karen Bass after previously endorsing the mayor.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
-
What began with the unconstitutional targeting of law firms, universities, and non-partisan civil servants has advanced to ICE’s shocking and deadly street-level assaults.—
Chris Mattei,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One of the biggest pieces of news of the week came via the Seahawks’ pool report, and that’s that rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury while leaping up in a passing drill.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the last into the fray, leaping onto his huddled team-mates.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Like the strung-up coyotes, the Ghoul typically looks normal from afar but terrifying up close.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
That’s terrifying on a whole different level.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hašek led the Czechs on a stunning run to a gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Save 47 percent on a stunning coffee table book that adds color and doubles as an instant conversation starter.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
