1
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of startle
Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Homelessness and trauma can cause people to startle reflexively when touched, Greig says, part of the reason the site’s staff offers hugs to clients and encourages them to call family.
—Ian Willms, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
Henning and Muche let out a startle, however, when a beaver struck the bottom of their canoe.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for startle
Verb
Lilian, startled, looked around at the door, and that made the sisters laugh: Lilian, too, was tricked, just like the hedgehog.
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Homelessness and trauma can cause people to startle reflexively when touched, Greig says, part of the reason the site’s staff offers hugs to clients and encourages them to call family.
—Ian Willms, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
An exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2023
Henning and Muche let out a startle, however, when a beaver struck the bottom of their canoe.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
Verb
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The science behind the process continues to amaze me.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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Extraordinary craftsmanship that amazed even the architect.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The stock jumped 22% to S$0.335 in Friday morning trading in Singapore, heading for its highest close since March 2018.—
Yessar Rosendar,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Foreign governments have also jumped aboard, with India, the United Arab Emirates, and a nonprofit group linked to the Qatari government all paying for Crockett and her family to go on expensive trips abroad, according to congressional disclosures.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Miller, of course, is aware that Trump’s intention, always, is to shock, to play the madman, and thus frighten his rivals and alter the terms of the debate.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The college basketball world was in shock when USC Trojans women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team’s March Madness game against Mississippi State earlier this week.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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This probably won’t come as much of a shock, but worrying incessantly can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health.—
Julia Ries,
SELF,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jade King Carroll: Chisa creates characters and stories that continually surprise you.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Financial and retirement experts who spoke to Newsweek were not surprised by the Transamerica findings, putting the blame largely on the ever-rising cost of living.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Then, their star sophomore went up for a rebound early in the second quarter and emerged from under the hoop wincing with pain, an image that inevitably conjured thoughts of the worst-case scenario.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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Everyone on the Duke sidelines held their collective breath as the star winced in pain.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Fearful Tesla drivers are asking Tesla to implement new tech features in the vehicle to scare off protesters, Fortune reports.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
21 Mar. 2025
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Education, management and enforcement needs to be re-evaluated so this type of transportation doesn’t continue to scare pedestrians.—
Jonathan Horwitz,
Orange County Register,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Related article Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala stuns five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek to reach Miami Open semifinals Despite losing, Eala wore a beaming smile on her face before walking off the court, with the crowd applauding her for a memorable run.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Rogen was also stunned when a Hollywood heavyweight director agreed to appear.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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