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
Examples 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
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024
In the middle of her speech, a siren-like wail cut through the air, startling the audience.
—Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 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
There was a magnitude 4.6 earthquake on Feb. 9, strong enough to toss items off a counter; and a magnitude 4.7 on Sept. 12 — startling enough that the city’s mayor and his wife dove under their kitchen table.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024
In the middle of her speech, a siren-like wail cut through the air, startling the audience.
—Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 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
-
What amazed me most, however, was the large number of people watching and tracking the trial.Anthony Michael Kreis, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
-
Providing instant access to a wealth of information, the internet amazed my inquisitive mind.Usman Javaid, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The actors stood in a circle for a warmup exercise, and the Divines jumped right in.Ted Koppel, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2024
-
Actor Rob Riggle and former NFL wide receiver Vince Papale jumped up on the back of a pickup truck and grabbed a mic that was plugged into Ryan’s little speaker.Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Some sea creatures manifest that may frighten the littles.Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 26 Nov. 2024
-
Carmen walks away, frightened, but Lenù gets even closer to the scene of the crime, asking witnesses what happened.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Social media is awash in lists of reads from last month, last week, last year, driven by the same shock of recognition that there’s plenty new under the sun.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Dec. 2024
-
But, after the initial shock of those first few weeks, thoughts turned from survival to bringing Asheville back to its once-thriving state.Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Advertisement Olsen: What are some of the things that you’ve been surprised by so far?Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Animals bring a feel-good factor like little else, and no story captured that better than one in which a grieving grandma was surprised by a new golden retriever after losing her previous dog.Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Eilish winced upon its impact, turning her head to show palpable disappointment.Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024
-
The two of them winced when a gunman raised his rifle with one hand into the air and let loose a salvo.Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
After moving to New York City in her mid-20s, Gloria Steinem made a list of the things about it that scared her.Sarah Medford, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Still, the issue was not enough to scare off the NFL or the National Basketball Association, which renewed its contract with Nike in October.Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels.ALBERT AJI AND MATTHEW LEE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The two were eventually separated by Packers staff and game officials, but the incident left the veteran head coach stunned.Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
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 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share