startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing momentary fright, surprise, or astonishment
a startling discovery
startlingly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of startling in a Sentence
Startling new evidence came to light during the trial.
He made a startling discovery.
It is a city of startling contrasts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some stats set to be fired off at Content Americas will make for startling viewing.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025
The repeat president has just shy of 15 million followers on TikTok, but the appearance of his name on the app’s welcome screen was nevertheless startling to many.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025
Ali’s rematch with Liston — held in a small youth center in the town of Lewiston, Maine — proved even more startling than the first.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
The most startling revelations in the book are about Case’s mother.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for startling 
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John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025
The repeat president has just shy of 15 million followers on TikTok, but the appearance of his name on the app’s welcome screen was nevertheless startling to many.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025
Ali’s rematch with Liston — held in a small youth center in the town of Lewiston, Maine — proved even more startling than the first.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
The most startling revelations in the book are about Case’s mother.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for startling
Dictionary Entries Near startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
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