startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing 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
Alkassar, who managed Paya along with chef Niven Patel, his partner in Feal Hospitality, managed a startling change in a short time.
—
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
That’s a shame, because the region stretching from Albany in the east to Buffalo in the west—the Erie Canal corridor—contains some of the most startling and consequential history anywhere in the country.
—Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Despite being debunked time and time again, a startling proportion of the public still hold onto these claims.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026
There's a startling new plastic surgery trend.
—Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
That’s a shame, because the region stretching from Albany in the east to Buffalo in the west—the Erie Canal corridor—contains some of the most startling and consequential history anywhere in the country.
—Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Despite being debunked time and time again, a startling proportion of the public still hold onto these claims.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026
There's a startling new plastic surgery trend.
—Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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