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
-
Saxon says that never happened… and Chelsea looks surprised to hear that.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
23 Mar. 2025 -
Kouns isn't entirely surprised to see this to be a source of some focus among viewers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In Maryland, though, some lawmakers have grown alarmed at the potential fallout.—
Amanda Hernandez,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Europe is alarmed at what the loss of America’s democratic leadership means for stability and progress around the world.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
All my heart goes out to my beautiful, brave nephew and the angels (my neighbors) who jumped to my aid and endured the chaos for 45 long minutes on the icy asphalt New Years morning.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For the coveted shoot, the Olympic athlete stunned in a variety of looks.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
-
However, most were stunned at Dawn's story.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Subway Violence Meanwhile, the incident is the latest in a series of high-profile crimes on New York subway trains that have shocked the city.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
And some likely were still awed that Sabathia saved the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2008 playoff run by making each of his final three starts of the season on three days rest.—
Brendan Kuty,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The findings left scientists astonished.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
-
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
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.
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share