1
as in surprised
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in alarmed
Related Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 startled
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
If guests are startled — or, more likely, amused — at your father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Their physical reactions to being startled were stronger, and their heart rates were higher.
—Marta Hill, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
Revell was startled to find just one Northern California company, Devastating Pyrotechnics, had imported from T-SKY – and the company lacked a license to sell consumer fireworks in California.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The fish was equally startled by me.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
According to a Facebook post shared by Friends of Horsey Seals, the startled angler had just caught a fish and was attempting to place it into his net when the seal suddenly popped up and went for the same catch.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Newton appeared startled but was compliant as she was handcuffed.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The Australia wicketkeeper arrived at the crease at Adelaide Oval with his team four down in the first over after lunch and in a state of startled disbelief.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
After several chest compressions, Briana startled awake and cried.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
When vertebrate animals are startled, neurons in a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus release norepinephrine, a neuromodulator associated with arousal, along fibers that fan out across the brain.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The exchange startled Loftus, who this month shared the correspondence with the Orlando Sentinel.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The e-bike collided with the car, and the driver, who police said was startled by the collision, accelerated across the street, killing Ayden and injuring a 6-year-old girl, both of whom were with their family in front of the restaurant.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Mission Viejo Animal Services responded to a call Friday morning from a Rancho Santa Margarita resident who reported that strong winds had startled the 16-month-old dog, Lana, prompting her to flee into a canyon area between Dove Canyon and Coto de Caza.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Dwayne was startled when a scout approached him and referred to his son as an NBA prospect.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
If guests are startled — or, more likely, amused — at your father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Their physical reactions to being startled were stronger, and their heart rates were higher.
—Marta Hill, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
Revell was startled to find just one Northern California company, Devastating Pyrotechnics, had imported from T-SKY – and the company lacked a license to sell consumer fireworks in California.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The fish was equally startled by me.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
According to a Facebook post shared by Friends of Horsey Seals, the startled angler had just caught a fish and was attempting to place it into his net when the seal suddenly popped up and went for the same catch.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Newton appeared startled but was compliant as she was handcuffed.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The Australia wicketkeeper arrived at the crease at Adelaide Oval with his team four down in the first over after lunch and in a state of startled disbelief.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.
—Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
After several chest compressions, Briana startled awake and cried.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
When vertebrate animals are startled, neurons in a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus release norepinephrine, a neuromodulator associated with arousal, along fibers that fan out across the brain.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The exchange startled Loftus, who this month shared the correspondence with the Orlando Sentinel.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The e-bike collided with the car, and the driver, who police said was startled by the collision, accelerated across the street, killing Ayden and injuring a 6-year-old girl, both of whom were with their family in front of the restaurant.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Mission Viejo Animal Services responded to a call Friday morning from a Rancho Santa Margarita resident who reported that strong winds had startled the 16-month-old dog, Lana, prompting her to flee into a canyon area between Dove Canyon and Coto de Caza.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The power of social media The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Others in Guojun’s orbit were more alarmed.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This year's software stock sell-off, which accelerated Tuesday, has alarmed investors, traders and analysts who worry the slide has further to go.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The opportunity wasn’t lost on Shula, the rock-solid legend who sat afterward at his locker, openly crying, in a manner that stunned Dolphins personnel.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Alphabet’s massive increase in AI infrastructure spending sets a new high water mark just one week after Meta stunned the Street by announcing plans to nearly double its capex to between $115 billion and $135 billion this year.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Longtime supporters have jumped ship, viewing the LDP as too old-fashioned and center-leaning, and instead flocked to new right-wing parties.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
According to Kendall Becker, Trendalytics fashion and beauty director, online conversations mentioning Ralph Lauren jumped 400 percent year over year across Instagram and TikTok.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This is no longer about ideology, this is about standing up for those who are being wrongly arrested, being unfairly harassed or being made to feel constantly frightened in their own homes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Why was Caesar Augustus frightened of Ovid?—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
From decades old stalwarts that awed generations of diners to relative newcomers that arrived boasting critical acclaim, here are a few of the closures that hit hardest in 2025.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The Aggies lauded Kentucky as a great team and were still laughing in disbelief after the match, awed by their own accomplishments.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The bodycam video was an eye-opening look at the frightening aftermath of the Brown campus shooting when police were searching room-by-room for the suspect, trying to comfort and care for terrified students, and trying to coordinate with campus police to get past locked doors.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What amazed me the most was the remains of what appeared to be a tall conifer — possibly a cypress or cedar — on Edgar Street in Pacific Palisades, where the Palisades fire ravaged an entire street.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The universe amazed me yet again.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
