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

Shiffrin’s Beijing opening race results were startling and newsworthy, and her dejected, side-of-the-course reaction to a second fall in three days was heartbreaking.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2022

This was probably a mistake, because soon they were startling onlookers by drawing on their eyes.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2021

The lenses made his blue-green irises seem so large they were startling.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein