startling
gb/stˈɑɹtəlɪŋ/ us/stˈɑɹtəlɪŋ/
B2
English
~ 5600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
very surprising or slightly shocking
Very surprising in a way that may also shock or worry people because they did not expect it.
Usage pattern:
[something] is startling
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "startled" instead of "startling" for this meaning. "Startled" usually describes how a person feels (for example, "She felt startled"), while "startling" usually describes the thing that causes the surprise (for example, "a startling result"). Learners may also confuse "startling" with "starting"; these have different meanings and pronunciations.
Synonyms
surprising (More general and slightly weaker; does not always suggest shock or worry.)
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shocking (Stronger and more negative, often used for very upsetting or disturbing things.)
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astonishing (Strong surprise, often with a sense of amazement; slightly more formal or literary.)
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startlingly (Adverb form; describes the manner or degree of something being surprising.)
Antonyms
unsurprising (Shows that something is expected and does not cause surprise.)
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reassuring (Opposite emotional effect: makes people feel calm and safe instead of shocked or worried.)
Collocations
startling revelation
|startling discovery
|startling news
|startling statistics
|startling fact
|startling claim
Themes
emotions
|news
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report contains some truly startling statistics about climate change.
- It is startling how little attention the issue has received.
- The documentary ends with the startling revelation that the tests were faked.
- Her sudden resignation was startling to everyone in the company.
- The scientist made the startling claim that the results might change modern medicine.
Learner examples
- The movie has a startling ending.
- I found it startling that nobody answered his question.
- There was a startling noise outside the window.
- His answer was so honest that it was a bit startling.
- The teacher gave us the startling news that the exam was tomorrow.
adjective
C1
property
2
extremely noticeable or vivid in appearance
Very strong and easy to see in a way that makes you look at it immediately, especially because of its color or shape.
Usage pattern:
startling [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always includes emotional shock, but here "startling" can simply mean visually very strong or unusual. They may also overuse "very" ("very startling") where just "startling" is natural, because the word already suggests a high degree.
Synonyms
striking (Very close in meaning; often used in similar visual contexts.)
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vivid (Focuses more on strong, bright color or clarity.)
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eye-catching (More informal; strongly emphasizes attracting attention.)
Antonyms
dull (Describes something that does not attract attention, often because the color or design is not bright.)
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plain (Simple and not noticeable in appearance.)
Collocations
startling contrast
|startling blue eyes
|startling colors
|startling image
|startling design
Themes
appearance
|art
|description
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The painting uses startling colors to create a sense of energy.
- She walked in wearing a startling red dress that turned every head in the room.
- The photographer captured a startling image of the storm clouds over the city.
- His eyes were a startling blue against his dark hair.
- There is a startling contrast between the old stone church and the glass office tower beside it.
Learner examples
- The room had a startling mix of bright colors.
- Her dress was a startling green, so everyone noticed her.
- The photo shows a startling contrast between light and dark.
- He has a startling tattoo on his neck.
- The building is a startling shape and looks very modern.
Grammar
Dictionary form
startling
IPA
GB/stˈɑɹtəlɪŋ/
US/stˈɑɹtəlɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
start - ling (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (start)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: startling
Word family
Core family
Expressions
a startling number of
1/ə stˈɑɹtəlɪŋ nˈʌmbɚ əv/
fixed phrase
an unexpectedly large or small amount
Used before a plural noun to say that the amount of something is much bigger (or sometimes smaller) than people would expect, and this surprises them.
Examples
- A startling number of people chose not to vote in the last election.
- The report shows a startling number of errors in the data.
- There were a startling number of tourists in the small village.
in a startling turn of events
1/ˈɪn ə stˈɑɹtəlɪŋ tˈɚn əv ɪvˈɛnts/
fixed phrase
when the situation changes surprisingly
Used to introduce a part of a story where the situation changes in a very surprising way.
Examples
- In a startling turn of events, the company’s smallest product became its biggest success.
- The team was losing badly, but in a startling turn of events they scored three goals in the last five minutes.