Something that's startling is so unexpected that it shocks or surprises you. It would be startling to open your front door and see a clown standing there. Startling events or circumstances aren't necessarily frightening, though they can be.
How do you use startle in a sentence?
Startle sentence example
- "I didn't mean to startle you," he said. ...
- Selyn wrenched the door open fast enough to startle Deidre. ...
- You'll startle him and then he'll be killed. ...
- The changes in his mate were new enough to startle him sometimes, but she was without a doubt his mate. ...
- "I...
What does a startling mean?
: causing momentary fright, surprise, or astonishment a startling discovery. Other Words from startling Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About startling.