Meaning & use
startling
Surprising or shocking enough to make someone react suddenly, often with alarm.
See it in a sentence
The startling news of the merger sent the company's stock price up within minutes.
A startling noise from the attic made everyone in the house freeze and listen.
A note on using this word
Startling emphasizes a sudden, involuntary reaction, whereas surprising can describe something merely unexpected but calmer.
Words with a similar meaning
surprisingalarmingshocking
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
unsurprising
Make it your own
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