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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startling
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 14 May 2025
Some of the most startling details will be in Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again — a book by Tapper and Thompson set to be released later this month.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025
That might not be shocking given the effects other tariffs have had, but what is startling is the lack of any detail about the president's plan for Hollywood.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Alfredo Tejada makes a startling company debut as a ferociously frightening Ramón Ruiz Alonso, who arrests Lorca.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Adjective
Nothing can be more startling than spotting a bear on a hiking trail or worse – in your neighborhood.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 14 May 2025
Some of the most startling details will be in Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again — a book by Tapper and Thompson set to be released later this month.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025
That might not be shocking given the effects other tariffs have had, but what is startling is the lack of any detail about the president's plan for Hollywood.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Alfredo Tejada makes a startling company debut as a ferociously frightening Ramón Ruiz Alonso, who arrests Lorca.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
Adjective
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The Cardinals certainly hope that’s the case, as their rotation has been a surprising strength.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
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Listen to this article 3 min Italian archaeologists recently made a surprising religious discovery in an unusual location: an Ancient Roman bath complex.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, McIlroy blew up for a double bogey on the first hole before jumping out to a massive lead.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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By jumping to agentic, Amazon can make home assistants that are capable and conversational like ChatGPT but also have a framework for communicating and controlling external services, as Alexa and Siri can.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Following the amazing Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake from the end of last year, the other two parts of the Erdrick Trilogy are being combined into one game.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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There’s still men — there’s Benson, who’s doing amazing.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Because of their tiny size, these monkeys are incredible jumpers, capable of leaping up to 16 feet.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2025
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The latter was dismissed by another leaping salmon catch by Glenn Phillips.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Even more stunning is that every one of us is unique and different.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Ahead of its launch on Prime Video on June 12, The Traitors India has unveiled its look, with 20 players attempting to identify the betrayers among them at the stunning Suryagarh Palace in Rajasthan.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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