startling
Very surprising in a way that may also shock or worry people because they did not expect it.
Causing a strong feeling of surprise, often mixed with slight shock or worry, especially because something is very unexpected.
Very strong and easy to see in a way that makes you look at it immediately, especially because of its color or shape.
Very striking or vivid in appearance, color, or style, so that it immediately draws attention.
- Base: startling
a startling number of
1an 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.
- 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
1when the situation changes surprisingly
Used to introduce a part of a story where the situation changes in a very surprising way.
- 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.