startle
verb (used with object)
to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
has been startling
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present perfect progressiveof startle (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the extreme speed at which people are moving to find new rates has been startling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
The result has been startling to those outside Mississippi, but not surprising to those who have wrestled with Jackson’s frail system.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 31, 2022
With just a hint of a Scottish accent, it's clear Sepehr's development has been startling.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2022
Heaven help the most scrutinized rookie in Los Angeles sports history, whose past week in the Las Vegas summer league has been startling in its drama and unsettling in its prophesy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2017
The momentum of the present missionary movement has been startling.
From Quiet Talks with World Winners by S. D. (Samuel Dickey) Gordon
