startling

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.

Allen said it had been "really startling" when he and the team saw what the film would look like for the first time, adding the aesthetic took some getting used to.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Polling data on how people around the world view America inevitably makes for dry reading, but still exposes startling differences between how Americans see themselves and external perceptions.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

So it was startling to read stuff like this:

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

The screenwriter I met at République who, based on his startling non-resemblance to his photo, had obviously posted a picture of someone else on his profile.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Most startling of all, a splendid dark cartoon of a black eye was stamped in a ring on my eye socket, in the richest inks of Tyrian, chartreuse, and plum.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt