STARTLING Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

startling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstärt-liŋ

Definition of startling

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

startling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of startle

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

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

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of startling

Adjective

Sixty years in an ever-changing and often volatile market is a startling milestone, one worthy of celebration, especially as Broward’s restaurant scene grows. — Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 While the performances have arguably not warranted the results, United’s lack of clinical edge in the final third has been startling. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for startling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for startling

Adjective

For something with only 256 pixels to play with, people have found a surprising number of things to put on them.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of surprising

Verb

Fellow cybersecurity firm Okta also reported strong results after the bell, with shares jumping roughly 20% following a raise in guidance.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
But the president's endorsement didn't stop a number of other Republicans from jumping into the race, including Norman.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of jumping

Verb

Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.

— Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

Verb

Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026

Definition of stunning

Verb

In the fifth inning, left fielder Sam Antonacci just missed making a leaping grab on a ball hit to the wall by Isaac Paredes.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Wolf’s Shinobi Prosthetic houses a grappling hook for scaling rooftops, leaping between trees, and approaching enemies stealthily.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of leaping

Browse Nearby Words

startles

startling

starts

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Style

“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of startling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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