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
Relevance
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
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 startle
Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
More on Axios: PR's misguided metrics Israeli intelligence sees growing chance Assad's forces collapse in Syria
Israeli intelligence officials have been startled by a faster-than-expected collapse of the Syrian army's defense lines over the last 24 hours, two senior Israeli officials tell Axios.
—Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
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 most recent superintendent was basically run out of the job in June after startling dysfunction in the central administration was uncovered.
—Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
More on Axios: PR's misguided metrics Israeli intelligence sees growing chance Assad's forces collapse in Syria
Israeli intelligence officials have been startled by a faster-than-expected collapse of the Syrian army's defense lines over the last 24 hours, two senior Israeli officials tell Axios.
—Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
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
-
Costco continues to amaze both with price and with entertainment and all my Costco’s are a blast to shop at.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Instead, the boy was creating short films using action figures, adding voice-over narration, and displaying a level of creativity that amazed his mother.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes, Sara would jump into the sandbox to play with the shovels herself.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
-
After a period in a refugee camp, with Israeli soldiers deeming land deeds invalid, the narrative jumps to 1978, to a territory populated by Palestinians crammed in modest quarters, without citrus trees and with regular curfews.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Where another artist might rely on grotesque specifics to frighten the reader, Mignola’s insinuating expanses of black ink conceal all but the most necessary details of a rich and malevolent world, filled with monstrosities, yes, but also oddities, many of them delightful.—
Sam Thielman,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
-
As the devastating wildfires began to sweep across Los Angeles on Jan. 7, frightened residents were not turning to Netflix.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In Bull Connor’s case, film coverage of his fire-hose and police-dog attacks was broadcast on TV, triggering shock and fury in Washington and elsewhere, and ultimately leading to passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.—
David Mcgrath,
Orlando Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2025
-
After kicking her feet in a circle to try to get the remains to move, the woman gasps and raises her hand to her mouth in shock.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Here are the 14 most shocking snubs and surprises from the 2025 Academy Awards shortlist.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The upside earnings surprised many, and consequently, the stock popped.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Towns, a righty, winced and grabbed his shooting hand but remained in the game.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
All these precautions are not meant to scare people, Tetro and Gerba said, but to inform.—
Melanie Radzicki McManus,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Because these WMAs are designed to provide two conflicting services — to maintain wildlife habitat and to offer recreation, including hunting opportunities that may scare the birds away — no one really knows how the resident geese perceive the situation.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Legal Challenges Image Legal scholars and immigration advocates said on Tuesday that they were stunned by the breadth of the order.—
Michael D. Shear,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Director Mohammad Rasoulof tracks social and moral collapse with the kind of unnerving calm and visual precision that made the Iranian New Wave so striking when Abbas Kiarostami’s Through the Olive Trees and Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s A Moment of Innocence first stunned the film world in the 1990s.—
Armond White,
National Review,
22 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to startle
Thesaurus Entries Near startle
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share