startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing momentary fright, surprise, or astonishment
a startling discovery
startlingly
adverb
Examples of startling in a Sentence
Startling new evidence came to light during the trial.
He made a startling discovery.
It is a city of startling contrasts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Their level of music knowledge at Bandcamp is startling and insanely impressive.
—
Steve Baltin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
The freeze frame at the end faded to a startling shade of (blood!) red.
—Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
The Boy Meets World star, who joined the series in season 6 as Rachel McGuire, has shared a startling observation about her transition from sitcom star to adult film actress.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025
The notion that morning TV talk-show hosts are a vapid lot is, well, not exactly a damning critique, but like so much of Don’t Look Up, it’s held up as a scathing, startling takedown, and Blanchett plays it with the same level of obviousness.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Steve Baltin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
The freeze frame at the end faded to a startling shade of (blood!) red.
—Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
The Boy Meets World star, who joined the series in season 6 as Rachel McGuire, has shared a startling observation about her transition from sitcom star to adult film actress.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025
The notion that morning TV talk-show hosts are a vapid lot is, well, not exactly a damning critique, but like so much of Don’t Look Up, it’s held up as a scathing, startling takedown, and Blanchett plays it with the same level of obviousness.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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