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
Lilian did not mind telling the truth, but truths could be startling and leave people uneasy—spooked, Lilian called that state.
—
Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
As the cars ripped by on the track, the speed is startling, and almost doesn’t make sense.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
The eighth-grade results are even more startling, with just 25% proficient in reading and 21% proficient in math on NAEP, but 51% proficient in ELA and 65% proficient in math on FAST.
—John Padget, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Until Friday, the last day of February, 2025. Everyone agrees that the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was startling.
—Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
As the cars ripped by on the track, the speed is startling, and almost doesn’t make sense.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
The eighth-grade results are even more startling, with just 25% proficient in reading and 21% proficient in math on NAEP, but 51% proficient in ELA and 65% proficient in math on FAST.
—John Padget, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Until Friday, the last day of February, 2025. Everyone agrees that the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was startling.
—Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 2 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 14 Mar. 2025.
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