startling
106
5.0
- adjective
- /ˈstɑrtlɪŋ/
- The sudden loud noise was startling and made everyone jump.
- a startling conclusion
- a startling revelation
- a startling discovery
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Watch on YouTubeThe bright snow is startling against the deep blue sky.
- The bright snow is startling against the deep blue sky.
- And this is true to a a startling extent.
- And, you know, was was pretty startling and jarring.
- That little bump occurs every time a startling reaction is going to occur.
- It's such a kind of startling proposition to make.
- I'm the type also where like something startling happens.
- I mean, it was like a like just startling result.
- And that level of difference is, is startling.
- Like was was new and in many ways startling.
- And I just thought it was so funny because it was startling.
- If there's no limits, then nothing shocking and nothing startling.
- Even when I heard her say to Jean, he raped me, it was, it was so startling.
Examples
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Such a conclusion may seem all the more startling considering the conventional wisdom on this issue.
Academic text (1991) -
- In another startling announcement from city hall, Mayor Randolph has, effective immediately, lowered the legal drinking age from 21 to 10.
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The bright snow is startling against the deep blue sky.
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Yeah, the mayor is completely right, and that is a startling thing to hear.
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And it is startling how effective that is.
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And now, ladies and gentlemen... ...I have a startling surprise for the benefit of the hospital.
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The numbers increased so much it was startling.
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It was very startling to hear the stories.
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It was then that I made a startling discovery.
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The expressions of the horses are startling, showing fear, suffering, and sheer excitement.
Academic text (1999)
Synonyms
489
1.8
Causing surprise because it is not expected
347
3.4
Very surprising and upsetting in a way that makes people angry or sad
135
3.4
Very surprising and making you feel great wonder
134
4.1
Very surprising and having a strong effect on people
97
5.3
Very large and surprising in a way that shocks you
92
4.1
So surprising and impressive that you feel amazed
39
5.1
So surprising and impressive that it changes how you feel or think
2
7.7
So surprising and impressive that it leaves people stunned
Antonyms
How Startling
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Startling comes from startle, which is like the simple word start and originally meant 'to jump' or 'move suddenly'. So something startling is very surprising and makes you 'jump' or feel a quick shock.