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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of startling was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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