startling

adjective

star·​tling ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce startling (audio)
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
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.
Yes, but: Grocery costs were up 0.5% last month, including a particularly steep rise in the prices of beef (up 3.1%) and eggs (up a startling 8.2%). Neil Irwin, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024 This startling documentary by Chris Smith (‘Fyre,’ ‘100 Foot Wave’) is told through intimate access to Bryan Johnson, a man who has dedicated his life to defy aging. Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 The film at times has the encompassing pansexuality of a D.H. Lawrence novel (Women in Love, say, which was adapted into a rather startling film back in 1969) but with everyone wearing immaculate shorts and tennies. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 That an artist in his forties would be thinking about his legacy seemed a bit startling, but Johnson, who sometimes struck me as being egoless, understands his own significance. Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for startling 

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of startling was in 1609

Dictionary Entries Near startling

Cite this Entry

“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

startling

adjective
star·​tling
: causing a sudden fright, surprise, or astonishment
a startling discovery
startlingly
ˈstärt-liŋ-lē
-ᵊl-iŋ-
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on startling

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