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
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Recent Examples of startling
Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
And in one of the most startling moves late Friday night, Trump took aim at the Pentagon in an unprecedented upheaval of senior leadership.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025
For Black students who stayed at Roxbury High, the suspension rate was 8 per 100, but for the Black students from the same neighborhood who were randomly chosen to go to South Boston High, the suspension rate in 1974 was a startling 215.1 suspensions per 100 students.
—Aaron Kupchik, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
Joel Embiid continues to be out, Paul George has been a startling disappointment, and a remarkable 17 different players have been in the starting lineup through 57 games.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Adjective
The Trump administration is sending a startling message to corporate America: After three years as an international pariah, Russia could once again be open for business.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
And in one of the most startling moves late Friday night, Trump took aim at the Pentagon in an unprecedented upheaval of senior leadership.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025
For Black students who stayed at Roxbury High, the suspension rate was 8 per 100, but for the Black students from the same neighborhood who were randomly chosen to go to South Boston High, the suspension rate in 1974 was a startling 215.1 suspensions per 100 students.
—Aaron Kupchik, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
Joel Embiid continues to be out, Paul George has been a startling disappointment, and a remarkable 17 different players have been in the starting lineup through 57 games.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling
Adjective
-
Rubin: There was a surprising lack of campiness to this whole thing.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2025
-
This ability was not entirely surprising, given Flack’s musical background.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
The New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Everybody was smiling and literally jumping with joy.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Constantly jumping from one shiny object to the next can lead to distractions that chip away at our businesses' foundations, making sustainability challenging.—
Cody Bjugan,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones, now $117 off, deliver amazing sound, top-notch noise cancellation, and a 60-hour battery life.—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Artistic director Adam Burke brought together an amazing team to work on the play.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Meanwhile, the hallway bathroom upgrades existing tile with an amber shower curtain and emerald leaping cheetah wallpaper from The House of Scalamandré, which Haller chose as a subtle nod to The Royal Tenenbaums.—
Morgan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
26 Dec. 2024
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Soon, people are leaping forward to yank their bag off the carousel.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Nebbiolo grapes for this stunning wine are grown on 45-year-old vines and hail from the Colonnello vineyard.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
7 Mar. 2025
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March has finally arrived, bringing with it a suite of stunning new tracks from some of the biggest stars in music — but which ones are your favorites this week?—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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