1
as in surprised
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in amazed
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 jumped
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 frightened
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
And no one is at all surprised that Naomi Girma, who is set to move to Chelsea from the San Diego Wave, will have the status of football’s most expensive female footballer.—
Michael Cox,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025 -
Members of the Bills Mafia shouldn’t be surprised if their new tradition is hijacked in favor of an old tradition, which may turn some Chiefs fans against each other.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While that’s what his voters bought, institutions are pushing back mightily, in some cases with the backing of an alarmed public.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
29 Jan. 2025
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His innie shares a vast, mostly empty office with three colleagues: the paternal old-timer Irving (John Turturro), the faux curmudgeon Dylan (Zach Cherry), and the alarmed newbie Helly (Britt Lower).—
Inkoo Kang,
The New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Harry and Meghan's house has jumped about 110 percent in value in the same time frame.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The episode title is a reference to a Happy Days episode in which Fonzie jumped over a shark while water-skiing.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
However, most were stunned at Dawn's story.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
For the coveted shoot, the Olympic athlete stunned in a variety of looks.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Context The incident is the latest in series of high-profile crimes on New York subway trains that have shocked the city.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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And the art world is no different — some artists are using it to help generate work, and others are shocked by its capabilities.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
-
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Its striking, smoke-ring-like appearance has both awed and puzzled astronomers, who have long debated whether this remnant truly takes on a ring shape or if its appearance is merely an illusion created by our viewpoint in space.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
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On Saturday, as culmination to Marvel’s packed San Diego Comic-Con panel announcing the studio’s upcoming slate of projects, veteran MCU hands Anthony and Joe Russo appeared onstage alongside a phalanx of sinister metal-mask-wearing, robed figures to ecstatic cheers and awed murmurs.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
29 July 2024
Verb
-
The findings left scientists astonished.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
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In 2014, for instance, one researcher was astonished to watch a single sea otter devour roughly 30 European green crabs in an hour, per the Washington Post.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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