Looks startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Looks startling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears surprising or shocking at first glance. Example: "The sudden change in the landscape looks startling, as the once lush greenery has turned into a barren wasteland."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But with "Community" the drop-off looks startling.

The New York Times - Arts

It's not merely a gimmick, although it looks startling on the page and I wonder that her publishers didn't protest.

The Guardian

At 48, he finds that term "a bit superficial", but he looks startling: he has turned up to our interview as if he is about to take to the stage – at first I think his shirt is unbuttoned nearly to the navel.

The Guardian - Music

Sensation art, or Apocalypse or Intelligence or Turner Prize art is based on a formula where something looks startling at first and then turns out to be expressing some kind of banal idea, which somebody will be sure to tell you about.

The Guardian - Books

With half his face blown away he looks startling, surreal even, but he's the only one in the show with a strong moral code and, towards the jaw-dropping finale, he gives the showboating Rosetti some real competition in the scene-stealing stakes.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Even last weekend, which ended a four-day engagement with different casts, Ms. Sonnabend's play with oval shapes and Art Nouveau designs looked startling.

The New York Times - Arts

Its attempt at complexity and ambiguity is engaging, even admirable, although this is partly still the contrived "prequel" effect of creating storylines which have to look startling and unexpected, even though we all know where they're heading.

The Guardian

At the time pictures of athletic girls strolling the beach in sexy bathing suits or carrying striped umbrellas looked startling; respectable magazines didn't show women with their knees apart.

The New York Times - Arts

But while the sentences may look startling and in some cases even draconian, they are following the letter of an anti-terror law that was passed by the National Assembly as recently as last November.

BBC

She laughed that soft, deep chuckle again and looked up, startling Loomis anew with the directness of her gaze.

The New Yorker

If New York hadn't lost confidence in its creative energies, the Rose Center would look less startling.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Looks startling" to describe something that has an immediate and visually shocking impact. It's best used when referring to a first impression or unexpected appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "Looks startling" when the surprising aspect is due to something other than appearance. For instance, if a statistic is surprising, it's better to say "The statistic is startling" rather than "The statistic looks startling".

Linguistic Context

Looks startling primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. It combines the verb "looks" (linking verb) with the adjective "startling" to describe the visual appearance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Looks startling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, designed to describe something with an appearance that causes immediate surprise or shock. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. The contexts in which it is most often found are News & Media. When employing the phrase, remember that the surprise is visual and related to a first impression. If the surprise comes from something else, it's best to find another phrase. While not overly formal, "looks startling" is suitable for use in a variety of descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Appears shocking

Focuses on the apparent nature of the shock, rather than the immediate visual impact.

Seems surprising

Highlights the unexpected nature of the appearance.

Presents a startling image

Emphasizes the visual aspect and the striking quality of the image.

Gives a shocking impression

Focuses on the overall feeling or impression created.

Is visually striking

Highlights the visual impact and memorability.

Has a surprising appearance

Focuses on the unexpected quality of the appearance.

Is remarkably conspicuous

Emphasizes how easy it is to notice.

Creates a startling effect

Emphasizes the effect produced by something, which is startling.

Looks unexpectedly dramatic

Specifies that the dramatic aspect of the view wasn't anticipated.

Has a shockingly unusual look

Emphasizes how the unusual look creates a shock.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "looks startling"?

When something "looks startling", it means it has an appearance that is surprising, shocking, or remarkable. It suggests an immediate, noticeable impact on visual perception.

What can I say instead of "Looks startling"?

You can use alternatives like "appears shocking", "seems surprising", or "is visually striking" depending on the context.

How to use "Looks startling" in a sentence?

You can use "Looks startling" to describe a physical appearance or visual presentation that is surprisingly noticeable or shocking. For example: "The sudden change in the landscape "looks startling", as the once lush greenery has turned into a barren wasteland."

Is it correct to say "Looks startling"?

Yes, the phrase "Looks startling" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It is used to describe something that appears surprising or shocking at first glance.