1
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startle
David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
The stature of men leading the group’s post-Jan. 6 resurrection startled me.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
Henning and Muche let out a startle, however, when a beaver struck the bottom of their canoe.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
The air startled me with its kinetic, palpable, vibrating density.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
The stature of men leading the group’s post-Jan. 6 resurrection startled me.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
Henning and Muche let out a startle, however, when a beaver struck the bottom of their canoe.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
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What amazed me was that Zeah was already on home detention for a rack of serious criminal charges.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2025
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The Chiefs didn’t amaze us on an every-game basis, not really, anyway.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Consumers are expected to feel most of the burden of the new import taxes on automobiles as prices of cars could jump by thousands of dollars.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
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The prices paid index jumped to the highest level in about two years as prices increased.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On the streets, conservative protesters, frightened that the left could win the next election, have rallied to Yoon.—
ROBERT E. KELLY,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Feb. 2025
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That frightened stray kitten forgot her fears and moved up on that ball of paper and batted it across the floor and then batted it again.—
Carole Wendt,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Dreamy forests and bright angels curdle and mutate into digital grotesquerie, a Spam Folder of faceless creatures and shock shlock.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2025
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Hamilton, 40, got his first chance to drive Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season in a short shakedown test at its private test track in Italy on Wednesday following his shock winter move.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Again, no one should be surprised by Wednesday’s announcement.—
Bill McKibben,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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The announcement did not surprise the market given Trump had previously alluded to the move, during discussion of his upcoming 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, Piotr Ortonowski, head of copper market analysis at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, told CNBC.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Then, midway through the second set, the defending Australian Open champion winced when running down a ball from the Danish No. 13 seed on his backhand side.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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Mindful of the land mines around establishing novel hunting seasons, and wincing over rejection of crane hunting on at least two previous occasions, promoters of the sandhill hunt were intentional about building stakeholder support for a season.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In 2023, a bear barged into a bakery in Avon, scared employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
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The Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in South Florida claims that that state and federal anti-LGBTQ policies have siphoned off the institution’s operating budget and scared off corporate investors, leaving the museum in financial peril.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The TikTok post has since gained attention, and Keziah was stunned by the reaction.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
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Then, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams stunned with her voluminous loose curls and signature brown lip liner and lipstick combo.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to startle
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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