were startling
- past progressive of startle.
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.
The speed differentials at the start were startling.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2026
Substack plays an important role in this story, and even to media professionals its appearance and prominence over the past few years were startling and unexpected.
From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2025
Some of the similarities between the manifesto and Ted’s writings were startling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2023
This, of course, sets up a new flurry of self-deprecating comments that Birbiglia deploys in his deceptively sleepy semi-monotone, which at times makes him sound as if he were startling himself.
From New York Times ● Nov. 13, 2022
But the pictures she did keep, and sold, were startling.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
