startles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of startle
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
as in jumps
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frightens
to strike with fear loud noises always startle her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

startles

2 of 2

noun

plural of startle
as in shocks

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of startles
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
  1. amazes
  2. jumps
  3. frightens
  4. shocks
  5. stuns
  6. scares
  7. astonishments
  8. surprises
Verb
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • This technology still amazes me.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Definition of amazes
Verb
  • In the last-minute flash-forward, HBO‘s space-cop drama jumps 10 years ahead to 2026, where a now-goateed John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) is called to examine the frozen corpse of his former mentor.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Bret clunkily jumps right to his virginity, suggesting that whatever is going on between them isn’t exactly one-sided.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of jumps
Verb
  • And for members who have a long history, who are used to running on that long history, that frightens them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Diego Gomez is a stop-gap alternative, but Mitoma remains a key figure who frightens opposing defences with his dribbling speed and influential record in the top flight.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightens
Noun
  • New Zealand looks to be the best place to hedge impact from severe El Niño shocks to global food supply chains, according to Bank of America.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For any brand looking to steady its input costs and protect its production lines from geopolitical shocks, the case is straightforward.
    — Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocks
Verb
  • Designed by architect Bart Prince, this sculptural spot stuns with floor-to-ceiling windows and six viewing decks with impressive vistas of the Sandia Mountains.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Paula Abdul stuns in neon orange for The Hollywood Reporter’s A-list Aesthetics event at Hotel Bel-Air on July 15 in Los Angeles.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of stuns
Verb
  • The exposure obviously scares him, but not enough to stop him from filming his next scene, where he’s been tasked with breaking in newcomer Cami Soul.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Don’t be afraid to volunteer for a responsibility that scares you a little.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of scares
Noun
  • The Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC and streaming live on Hulu, will offer up kudos for some of these astonishments.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of astonishments
Verb
  • Vintage Lighting Lighting is another one that surprises people, Gruver says.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But the 'people's RV maker' often surprises with its annual Caravan Salon slate.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprises

Browse Nearby Words

startlements
startles
startling
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Cite this Entry

“Startles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startles. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of startles for Spanish Speakers

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