startlement

noun

Definition of startlementnext
as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual the look of startlement in her eyes when she found herself at the wedding seated next to her ex-boyfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for startlement
  1. astonishment
  2. shock
  3. amazement
  4. surprise
Noun
  • The world will still exceed my comprehension and astonishment by orders of magnitude.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
  • What ensues is a series of astonishments—a flexing of muscles not often associated with our too-sedate conceptions of Iranian auteur cinema.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
Definition of astonishment
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
Definition of shock
Noun
  • The four words were first spoken here on a bright spring afternoon at Camelback Ranch, my astonished syllables joining similar tones of amazement floating from every corner of a crowded press box.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Belichick showed up to the amazement of his squad dressed in a full pirate outfit with his then-wife Debby Clarke Belichick.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024
Definition of amazement
Noun
  • Moreno had at least one bash: at a dinner in London with fellow theater stars Patrick Wilson, Audra McDonald, Daniel Dae Kim and Aaron Tveit, who were all across the pond to sing at The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, which featured Moreno as a surprise performer.
    Eric Andersson, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
  • This isn't the first X-rated surprise to spring up on social media in the lead-up to Christmas.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of surprise
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near startlement

startled

startlement

startlements

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Cite this Entry

“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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