startling

adjective

star·​tling ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 

ˈstärt-liŋ

: causing momentary fright, surprise, or astonishment

a startling discovery

startlingly adverb

Synonyms

• amazing
• astonishing
• astounding
• blindsiding
• dumbfounding
• dumfounding
• eye-opening
• flabbergasting
• jarring
• jaw-dropping
• jolting
• shocking
• stunning
• stupefying
• surprising

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

Dodging may have saved a few North Koreans last weekend, but the 11th Army Corps’ overall casualties were still startling high. —David Axe, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

That also included a startling new development for Shadows: genuine emotion, at least on occasion. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024

The startling advance of Syria’s opposition in a week is the unintended consequence of two other conflicts, one near and one far. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

And then, towards the end of the eighteenth century, there was a sudden, startling change that completely transformed possibilities and personal ambition for the average citizen. —Jon Moynihan, Fortune Europe, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

startling

adjective

star·​tling

: causing a sudden fright, surprise, or astonishment

a startling discovery

startlingly

ˈstärt-liŋ-lē

-ᵊl-iŋ-

adverb