startle
verb (used with object)
to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
have been startling
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present perfect progressiveof startle.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.
Pruetz's findings have been startling: Living in the extreme savannah heat, the Fongoli apes have learned to soak in natural pools, rest in cool caves and are calm in the presence of fire.
From Barron's ● Jan. 15, 2026
Yet the revelations that have come out over the last five years have been startling.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2021
The effects have been startling; a city of clamor has been hushed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2020
For a candidate whose allies had allowed themselves to dream of an incident-free path to the nomination, muscling through Iowa and dominating by Super Tuesday, his early stumbles have been startling.
From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2020
Either by itself would have been startling; together they were positively unnerving.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
