1
as in amazes
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in frightens
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
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Recent Examples of startles
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The combination of flashing light and movement startles them.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
The project, which Steinberger has rebranded multiple times—evolving from Clawdbot to Moltbot and finally to OpenClaw—largely owing to politics—has expanded at a pace that startles even seasoned AI experts.
—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.
—
Rob Mank,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Missile warning startles Dubai Earlier on Friday, a missile warning in the United Arab Emirates caused by a technical glitch underscored the ongoing tensions in the region, following the attack on the cargo vessel and Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past few days.
—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The combination of flashing light and movement startles them.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
The project, which Steinberger has rebranded multiple times—evolving from Clawdbot to Moltbot and finally to OpenClaw—largely owing to politics—has expanded at a pace that startles even seasoned AI experts.
—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.
—
Rob Mank,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startles
Verb
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More than 30 years later, what amazes me isn’t just what that team accomplished on the field.
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This technology still amazes me.
Verb
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Add an annual contribution of $250, and the average amount jumps to $15,154.
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Nissan shares have lost 45% of their value over the past five years, compared to 26% and 42% jumps for Honda and Toyota respectively.
Verb
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The thing that frightens me isn’t that machines will replace people.
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What frightens scientists more than the sheer numbers are that the cuts are arbitrary and manifestly pernicious.
Noun
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Pandemic bottlenecks, wars, climate shocks and geopolitical tension exposed the fragility of global supply chains.
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Asian stocks still have room to run even after a blistering first-half rally, while investors should continue diversifying into commodities as geopolitical shocks reinforce long-term demand for metals and energy infrastructure, Goldman Sachs said.
Verb
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Set the scene This resort stuns, with magical panoramic views of the northern coastline of Crete.
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Tabitha and Jade flee into the tunnels after an earthquake temporarily stuns the monsters, and Jade and his crew race to their vehicles to outrun the monsters that have come to the surface under the cover of this false night.
Verb
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While the prospect initially scares him, the front house manager ends up accepting and is last seen embarking on his first-ever flight.
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Any loud sound just scares her terribly.
Noun
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The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.
Verb
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However, this is also a series that surprises audiences with mysterious twins that have been under your nose the whole time.
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What surprises people most is the diversity of the landscape here.
Cite this Entry
“Startles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startles. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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