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
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
26 June 2026
Ahn seems mildly startled to hear his own consistency read back to him.
—
Joshua Encinias,
IndieWire,
17 June 2026
During the lead-up to this month’s primary elections, some voters in Placer County were startled to receive a text message with an image that looked like a law enforcement logo.
—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Some riders were mounted, while others were leading horses by hand when the startled animals broke free, the outlet said.
—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Robinson was startled to discover that this applicant intended to sell guns from his apartment in a building downtown, a few blocks from Camden Yards.
—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
1 June 2026
Plans first unveiled to a startled Fox News host, Laura Ingraham.
—
ABC News,
17 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
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 June 2026
Hyland said he’s been startled by how close the construction barges come to shore.
—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
The mobile phone alert startled many across the city-state of Dubai, the first such alert since the interim ceasefire.
—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Lansley said she has been startled by how chatbots can appear to display emotional intelligence.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
To his luck, the sound finally startled the bear and sent it running.
—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Officials apparently were startled when more than 2,000 mostly young fans did just that.
—
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Residents along the Massachusetts–New Hampshire border were startled by a sudden sonic boom on the afternoon of May 30, 2026.
—
Shawn Laatsch,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Her voice startled me, both rough and smooth—like a bottle of whiskey set in front of a princess.
—
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
One of them who’d worked with Juliatra-Monoth gave him a startled look.
—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
26 June 2026
Ahn seems mildly startled to hear his own consistency read back to him.
—
Joshua Encinias,
IndieWire,
17 June 2026
During the lead-up to this month’s primary elections, some voters in Placer County were startled to receive a text message with an image that looked like a law enforcement logo.
—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Some riders were mounted, while others were leading horses by hand when the startled animals broke free, the outlet said.
—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Robinson was startled to discover that this applicant intended to sell guns from his apartment in a building downtown, a few blocks from Camden Yards.
—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
1 June 2026
Plans first unveiled to a startled Fox News host, Laura Ingraham.
—
ABC News,
17 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
Verb
Comcast startled the industry and Wall Street with the split news early Monday, which comes just a few months after NBCU’s cable networks were spun off into a new company, Versant Media.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 June 2026
Hyland said he’s been startled by how close the construction barges come to shore.
—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
The mobile phone alert startled many across the city-state of Dubai, the first such alert since the interim ceasefire.
—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Lansley said she has been startled by how chatbots can appear to display emotional intelligence.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
To his luck, the sound finally startled the bear and sent it running.
—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Officials apparently were startled when more than 2,000 mostly young fans did just that.
—
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Residents along the Massachusetts–New Hampshire border were startled by a sudden sonic boom on the afternoon of May 30, 2026.
—
Shawn Laatsch,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Her voice startled me, both rough and smooth—like a bottle of whiskey set in front of a princess.
—
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startled
Adjective
-
As Chicago and the rest of the nation get ready to celebrate the country turning the big 250, some might be surprised to learn that the country’s alcohol tax is almost just as old.
-
The Operating System Of The American Economy Most Americans are surprised to learn that the federal government has identified sixteen Critical Infrastructure Sectors that collectively support nearly every aspect of daily life.
Adjective
-
Politico reported on Wednesday that even some key Republicans are alarmed at the supplemental, claiming the administration hadn't provided enough information.
-
The talks unfold amid fresh crossfire over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil chokepoint the closure of which has fueled a global energy crisis and alarmed allies.
Verb
-
The against-all-odds survival narrative stunned even veteran first responders.
-
In it, Gomez stunned in a sleeveless lace dress with a halter neck and a long mesh veil.
Verb
-
The number of New Yorkers diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease on the Upper East Side has jumped to 10, officials said Saturday.
-
Adams, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound, 24-year-old native of Austin, Texas, jumped high to block an Arthur Kaluma layup while playing 1 minute, 47 seconds for Golden State in the Warriors’ 104-72 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Verb
-
But her outbursts frightened the children too.
-
What frightened me most was what might happen to my children.
Adjective
-
Simmons, who would miss the induction ceremony due to an undisclosed family emergency (the band’s representative affirmed all is well), was also equal parts honored and awed.
-
With every contribution from Messi, that sense of awed reverence from the crowd increased.
Adjective
-
Campbell found the minister on the ground, terrified and in pain.
-
Videos show terrified residents and collapsed buildings across Venezuela as powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck the northern coast of the country.
Verb
-
When Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone at America’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, the invention amazed the crowd.
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
