startling

American  

[stahrt-ling, stahr-tl-ing] / ˈstɑrt lɪŋ, ˈstɑr tl ɪŋ /

adjective

1. creating sudden alarm, surprise, or wonder; astonishing.

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startling British  

/ ˈstɑːtlɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing surprise or fear; striking; astonishing

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Other Word Forms

• startlingly
  adverb
• unstartling
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of startling

startle + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that's startling is so unexpected that it shocks or surprises you. It would be startling to open your front door and see a clown standing there. Startling events or circumstances aren't necessarily frightening, though they can be. A surprise party, if it's planned right, is startling, and it can be startling the first time you meet your best friend's identical twin sister. Alarm clocks, smoke alarms, and barking dogs can all be equally startling. They startle you — and startle comes from start, with its Old English root styrtan, "to leap up."

Example Sentences

Startling news awaited him when he was among a group of American prisoners of war released on Aug. 20, 1953, following the Korean armistice.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Startling video released by the department shows the 57-year-old woman slowly walking down the stairs into the subway station as the hooded suspect follows just steps behind her.

From Fox News • Feb. 25, 2022

Here’s a couple good adjectives, though: Startling - the only way to describe Fennell’s vision and execution in this, her directorial debut.

From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2020

Startling, ad hoc conjunctions of differing elements were going on long before that. 2-D collage started at least as far back as the invention of paper.

From The Guardian • Oct. 5, 2019

Startling myself with my bold speech, I withdrew my hand from his and clasped it with my other hand, thus restraining myself.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• alarming
• astonishing
• shocking
• surprising
• unexpected