1
as in surprised
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of startled
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
The startled 20-year-old mom ran into a nearby bodega with Kaori still with her in the stroller, police sources said.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
While walking on the pier, Gorman was startled to find Medina, wearing all black and a ski mask, hiding near the lighthouse.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The first of the three legs in an inaugural fundraiser called the Wagora Bike Ride unspools along rocky red clay roads and through rutted jeep tracks, past braying herds of zebra and startled warthogs.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Jordan was visibly startled when Davidson yelled from the auditorium as audience members gasped.
—John Ross, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Dwayne was startled when a scout approached him and referred to his son as an NBA prospect.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
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
She was startled by a knock at the door.
—Literary Hub, 1 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
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
The startled 20-year-old mom ran into a nearby bodega with Kaori still with her in the stroller, police sources said.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
While walking on the pier, Gorman was startled to find Medina, wearing all black and a ski mask, hiding near the lighthouse.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The first of the three legs in an inaugural fundraiser called the Wagora Bike Ride unspools along rocky red clay roads and through rutted jeep tracks, past braying herds of zebra and startled warthogs.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Jordan was visibly startled when Davidson yelled from the auditorium as audience members gasped.
—John Ross, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Dwayne was startled when a scout approached him and referred to his son as an NBA prospect.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
She was startled by a knock at the door.
—Literary Hub, 1 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
-
You’ll be greeted by a team of bellhops at the entrance, eager to whisk your bags away, but don’t be surprised if service is slow to the point of nonexistent after that.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Martin, who is already signed for next season, will be part of it, but don’t be surprised if New York signs someone else either on a cheap, short-term deal or a professional tryout contract.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When the shots rang out, the first lady looked alarmed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The company in March Nielsen delayed the release of the February results of its popular tabulation after some clients became alarmed by a downturn in streaming audiences following a decision by the measurement giant to add new data to its mix.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the last song in particular, Zegler stunned crowds in London by performing on the balcony of the theater which was then projected inside the venue.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.—
Joe Bruno,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Orlando’s defense caused problems early for Detroit when the Magic forced seven turnovers in the opening four minutes and jumped out to a 19-7 lead.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marist, which has scant returning experience from last year’s national powerhouse, jumped out to leads of 5-0 and 16-5 in the ninth game of the day against Glenbard West.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 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
-
The key cabin crew are flight attendants Penny (Lucy Barrett) and Zoe (Na Shi), both of whom demonstrate bravery, to different ends, and show caring attention to the terrified children.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Though Ridley Scott works in a drastically different tone than the one John Carpenter brought to Dark Star, the two films share screenwriter Dan O’Bannon’s darkly comedic view of a future that has reduced humans to alternately bored and terrified cogs in larger machines.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at this high school principal's incredible bravery.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
What really amazed the animal lover was Bow's loyalty to Shy, even though the dogs had only known each other for a day.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Startled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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