Pronunciation: /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/

Definitions of startling

verb to cause someone to feel sudden shock, surprise, or alarm

Example Sentences

A1 The loud noise startling the cat.

A2 She was startled by the sudden clap of thunder.

B1 The unexpected news startled everyone in the room.

B2 The startling revelation left them speechless.

C1 The startling statistics shed light on the severity of the issue.

C2 His startling performance on the field earned him a spot on the national team.

adjective causing sudden shock, surprise, or alarm

Example Sentences

A1 The startling noise from the fireworks scared the dog.

A2 The startling news of the earthquake spread quickly through the town.

B1 The startling revelation about her past left everyone speechless.

B2 The startling discovery of a new species of plant amazed the scientific community.

C1 The startling increase in crime rates has led to calls for stricter law enforcement.

C2 The startling similarities between the two paintings raised questions about their authenticity.

Examples of startling in a Sentence

formal The startling news of the company's bankruptcy sent shockwaves through the financial industry.

informal I had a startling encounter with a bear while hiking in the woods.

slang The ending of that movie was so startling, I jumped out of my seat!

figurative Her startling resemblance to her late grandmother was uncanny.

Grammatical Forms of startling

past tense

startled

plural

startlings

comparative

more startling

superlative

most startling

present tense

startle

future tense

will startle

perfect tense

have startled

continuous tense

is startling

singular

startling

positive degree

startling

infinitive

to startle

gerund

startling

participle

startled

Origin and Evolution of startling

First Known Use: 1300 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'startling' originated from the Old English word 'steartlian' which means to leap or jump suddenly.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'startling' has evolved to convey surprise or shock, rather than just a sudden movement.