1
as in surprised
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2
as in alarmed
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in stunned
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
3
as in frightened
to strike with fear
loud noises always startle her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of startled
ABC News, 17 May 2026
Corona de Oro, the 11 horse on Saturday, was scratched well ahead of the Derby, and Great White, who reared up and fell on his back after becoming startled shortly before entering the Derby gate, took the 13 post on Saturday.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Dinah spilled out, at first too startled to cry.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
In the clip, the startled pup wags its tail and stands with the help of rescuers after it's pulled to safety.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
The attack took place during a meeting of about 30 members of the party’s youth wing, who were startled but unharmed, Jetten said.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Steve Miklos remembers feeling a bit startled when former Orange Lutheran athletic director Jim Kunau contacted him about becoming the school’s softball coach.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Miss Manners was only startled, not traumatized, and fortunately was able to maintain her grateful smile.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Scared stink bugs will fall when startled, so use a container to catch them and then release them outdoors.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The missiles startled an Israeli public that has endured comparatively few casualties in recent weeks thanks to the country’s formidable air defenses, frequently tested across many years by rockets from militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
When startled, silver carp can leap several feet out of the water and injure boaters.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Stock markets started Monday with significant losses as investors were startled by the spike in oil and gas prices.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Plans first unveiled to a startled Fox News host, Laura Ingraham.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Corona de Oro, the 11 horse on Saturday, was scratched well ahead of the Derby, and Great White, who reared up and fell on his back after becoming startled shortly before entering the Derby gate, took the 13 post on Saturday.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Dinah spilled out, at first too startled to cry.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
In the clip, the startled pup wags its tail and stands with the help of rescuers after it's pulled to safety.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
The attack took place during a meeting of about 30 members of the party’s youth wing, who were startled but unharmed, Jetten said.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Steve Miklos remembers feeling a bit startled when former Orange Lutheran athletic director Jim Kunau contacted him about becoming the school’s softball coach.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Miss Manners was only startled, not traumatized, and fortunately was able to maintain her grateful smile.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Scared stink bugs will fall when startled, so use a container to catch them and then release them outdoors.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Victor turned to her, startled.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The missiles startled an Israeli public that has endured comparatively few casualties in recent weeks thanks to the country’s formidable air defenses, frequently tested across many years by rockets from militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
When startled, silver carp can leap several feet out of the water and injure boaters.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Stock markets started Monday with significant losses as investors were startled by the spike in oil and gas prices.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
Today many Coloradans are saddened and distressed by this unjustifiable act but not at all surprised.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
That’s why fans of Sylvester Stallone were likely so surprised to see the muscleman’s most recent Instagram post.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Health experts are growing increasingly alarmed about the outbreak, arguing that cases have been spreading undetected as public health authorities are stretched thin.—
Lauren Weber,
Washington Post,
18 May 2026
-
Yohanan Plesner, the president of the Israel DemocracyInstitute, a nonpartisan think tank, is similarly alarmed.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the officials, who works in cybersecurity, was stunned by her remark; his office’s previous work with CISA and federal law enforcement involved reporting death threats against elections officials and cyber risks.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Celebrini, the top pick in the 2024 NHL draft, was at the 2025 tournament on a team that included Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, but the Canadians were stunned 2-1 by Denmark in the quarterfinals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Data from travel booking platform TrainPal shows that in April, purchases by UK residents of Eurostar tickets to France jumped 42% month-over-month and rose 25% year-over-year.—
,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Alibaba, which set the record for the largest IPO in history when it was publicly listed in 2014, jumped 30% over 12 months, while Uber increased by 21% after listing in 2019.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
Lee Cronin was both flattered and frightened when Jason Blum suggested titling his The Mummy reimagining as Lee Cronin’s The Mummy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Castro, who spent the day with Mejia and often translated for her, described Mejia as awed and giddy throughout the day.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
And the second-to-none acoustics, with 10,000 state-of-the-art fiber panels that project sound throughout the theater, will leave you awed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They are lost in the abyss of the deep ocean, unable to recognize themselves or their surroundings, overwhelmed and terrified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
But there were no loud gasps or terrified screams during the screening.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
When Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone at America’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, the invention amazed the crowd.—
David H. Hsu,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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