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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of startle
David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
The stature of men leading the group’s post-Jan. 6 resurrection startled me.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 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
The air startled me with its kinetic, palpable, vibrating density.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
The stature of men leading the group’s post-Jan. 6 resurrection startled me.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 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
-
The Chiefs didn’t amaze us on an every-game basis, not really, anyway.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The Met’s exhibition amazes in two contradictory ways: as a reappreciation of Rudolph’s artistry and as an assessment of his impact on the American city.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
2 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Fans were dancing, jumping and fully immersed, reacting in real time as McRae unveiled her most personal and dynamic project yet.—
Cat Johnson,
Billboard,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Consumers are expected to feel most of the burden of the new import taxes on automobiles as prices of cars could jump by thousands of dollars.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Thousands of residents and visitors have left Santorini, frightened by the earthquakes measuring between magnitude 3 and magnitude 5 in the area since the weekend.—
Elena Becatoros,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
-
President Trump did no one any favors and his irresponsible accusations were meant to confuse and spread an unfounded conspiracy while both trying to score political points as well as frighten the flying public needlessly.—
Michael B. Teiger,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Dreamy forests and bright angels curdle and mutate into digital grotesquerie, a Spam Folder of faceless creatures and shock shlock.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Hamilton, 40, got his first chance to drive Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season in a short shakedown test at its private test track in Italy on Wednesday following his shock winter move.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In the end, Torres’ exhaustive devotion to detail proved effective in ways that surprised even her.—
Seth Abramovitch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The final scene of the final episode of Cobra Kai is a pitch-perfect callback to a scene in the original 1984 Karate Kid movie where Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) surprises Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) by catching a fly with his chopsticks.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Then, midway through the second set, the defending Australian Open champion winced when running down a ball from the Danish No. 13 seed on his backhand side.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Mindful of the land mines around establishing novel hunting seasons, and wincing over rejection of crane hunting on at least two previous occasions, promoters of the sandhill hunt were intentional about building stakeholder support for a season.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
His limited resume and the fact he’s spent more time in the box than on the edge also might scare teams, which means Walker’s potential draft range could be rather large.—
Nick Baumgardner,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
That's one week after Borderlands 4 and just in time to scare everyone (hopefully) during the all-spooky Halloween season.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The TikTok post has since gained attention, and Keziah was stunned by the reaction.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Then, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams stunned with her voluminous loose curls and signature brown lip liner and lipstick combo.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to startle
Cite this Entry
“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share