1
as in surprised
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in amazed
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in jumped
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frightened
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
Over at the Creighton house, Ellie is surprised to find her husband sitting in the dark in their parlor, having an existential crisis.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
6 Apr. 2025 -
Final numbers will be released Monday, and no one at Warners — or rival studios — will be surprised if grosses end up being higher.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Black is the ideal guy for the job here, screaming in agony while applying the nightmare product, and using Chester Cheetah as the alarmed straight man is inspired.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Cena's unprovoked assault, following a bizarre accusation, showcased a volatile side, prompting Jim Ross's alarmed reaction.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The episode title is a reference to a Happy Days episode in which Fonzie jumped over a shark while water-skiing.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
All my heart goes out to my beautiful, brave nephew and the angels (my neighbors) who jumped to my aid and endured the chaos for 45 long minutes on the icy asphalt New Years morning.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For the coveted shoot, the Olympic athlete stunned in a variety of looks.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
-
However, most were stunned at Dawn's story.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Subway Violence Meanwhile, the incident is the latest in a series of high-profile crimes on New York subway trains that have shocked the city.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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The Context The incident is the latest in series of high-profile crimes on New York subway trains that have shocked the city.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
-
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Eugene Levy so much, his famous eyebrows get raised right off his head and go on a grand tour — ending up as a mustache on a baby, kings to awed caterpillars and even alighting on daughter Sarah’s hand before returning to his face.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Sleek sea otters dive and twirl in a tank before awed visitors.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The findings left scientists astonished.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
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In 2014, for instance, one researcher was astonished to watch a single sea otter devour roughly 30 European green crabs in an hour, per the Washington Post.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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