as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the startling news that my sister will be having a baby
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in amazing
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 jumping
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 frightening
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of startling
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
These lights are extremely effective in ruining one’s low-light vision, thus making the scares even more startling.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024
But on a clear day after rain, the dooryards and the narrow streets are fragrant with summer lilacs; the overgrown grass by the river, where people of all backgrounds pause to rest, blows on the approach to a high, arcing bridge; and startling moments of bright, simple beauty emerge.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
Pollock’s claim draws the attention of an American scientist, who crosses the Atlantic multiple times over two decades to study the twins, and reaches a startling conclusion, what if death is only the beginning?
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for startling 
Adjective
His bitter resentment at this upheaval is startling, even in the annals of Second World War cinema, where fraught farewells in crowded train stations abound.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
These lights are extremely effective in ruining one’s low-light vision, thus making the scares even more startling.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024
But on a clear day after rain, the dooryards and the narrow streets are fragrant with summer lilacs; the overgrown grass by the river, where people of all backgrounds pause to rest, blows on the approach to a high, arcing bridge; and startling moments of bright, simple beauty emerge.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
Pollock’s claim draws the attention of an American scientist, who crosses the Atlantic multiple times over two decades to study the twins, and reaches a startling conclusion, what if death is only the beginning?
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
Adjective
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Verdict: Bose Nails the Basics In classic Bose fashion, the SoundLink Home sounds excellent, offering surprising bass response for its size while still providing plenty of detail in the high end.PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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All the staples are there, too: bloody battles, surprising revelations and dormant powers within unlikely sources.Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The jumping-for-beef gag is meme magic in itself — and has helped the Parkour Civilization phenomenon blow up on X (formerly Twitter) in recent days.Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024
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Nighttime experiences are spookier, with darker lighting and characters in scary masks jumping out to startle visitors.Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Don't miss out on these amazing savings to enhance your workflow and keep your data safe while on the go.Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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Thank you to Taylor and the Swift family for the amazing memories that will never be forgotten.Jack Irvin, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The news of John Amos‘ passing was announced earlier this week, shocking many many fans, colleagues, and even his own family members.Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 4 Oct. 2024
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But rather than play up the murders’ shocking gore or give momentum to Lois’ investigation, the first few episodes are content to linger in the investigator’s ennui.Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The image of the king leaping into the void, and sacrificing himself to buy the kingdom more time and put the genie back in the bottle, that was an image that came in the very first writer’s room five years ago in Santa Monica.Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2024
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No one of Rose’s modest height in NBA history played the point guard position with his combination of force, speed and leaping ability.The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Both scenes are memorable and stunning in a solid, not remarkable, film that warmly celebrates the unbending love shared between a mother and a son and the courage and bravery of Londoners during The Blitz.Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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International film productions have chosen the lake as a stunning backdrop, and social media are awash with users showing off their trips.Hannah Peart, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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