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.

So it was startling to read stuff like this:

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

His bizarre claim that the new broadcast would be “more transparent than Cronkite” was startling, but it became more revealing as the week wore on.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2026

Her conclusion was startling, her tone defiant: “Put me wherever you want: misguided socialist, toothless humanist, naïve novelist, useful idiot, apologist, denier, ally, contrarian, collaborator, traitor, inexcusable coward.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

One nearby resident, Mark Rogers, told the Los Angeles Times that the blast was startling for people nearby.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

It was startling, how easily she slipped into mundane conversation.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie