Startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Startling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes surprise or shock, often in a dramatic or unexpected way. Example: "The startling news of the sudden storm caught everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Startling in his economy, he sees into his characters and their capacity for contradiction and silliness and despair with a clarity that staggers me.

The Guardian

The results were startling.

The New York Times - Magazine

But two months after the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, when most of those injured and bereaved by the disaster are still waiting for compensation – though Primark, unlike other retailers who have admitted to a presence in the factory, has contributed to the compensation fund – the secret message hidden inside a piece of women's clothing is a startling image.

The Guardian - Opinion

"From Roman penknives to Canalettos, from enamelled reliquaries to model boats, we will be looking for connections, testing history, unearthing startling facts and putting real experts on the spot.

The Guardian

Australia is notorious in Britain for its startling variety of causes of death, thanks to its violent wildlife and the dangerous heat of its empty desert roads.

The Guardian

The groundbreaking working class films of the Sixties such as Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, A Kind of Loving, Room at the Top were startling in their depiction of social inequities, but these were not films to savour for their cinematic verve.

The Guardian - Film

Whatever, the startling statistic of 289 tackles made by Wales – Ireland made 104 – do not tell of a game played in the air, but of the ball being carried by, well, 289 Irish runners.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a startling ascent up the acting tree, and cemented her place on the A-list of performing talent.

The Guardian - Film

Once ashore, he tools up with a startling amount of weaponry.

The Guardian - Film

Prejudice and bigotry against gay people have reached "startling" levels in Northern Ireland, equality campaigners have warned.

The Guardian

As the mastermind behind some of the startling byelection wins that would become a Liberal trademark, the relative low profile of Lord Rennard in the public eye belies his influence on British politics stretching across three decades.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "startling" to introduce unexpected or surprising information, findings, or events to capture the reader's attention immediately.

Common error

Avoid using "startling" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler word like "surprising" or "unexpected" would suffice. "Startling" carries a sense of significant surprise and should be reserved for situations where the unexpectedness has a noteworthy impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "Startling" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes surprise, alarm, or shock. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly and widely used in this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Startling" is a versatile adjective frequently employed to denote a sense of surprise, shock, or unexpectedness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Predominantly found within the realm of news and media, "Startling" effectively captures the reader's attention by highlighting the noteworthy and often dramatic nature of events or information. While perfectly acceptable, remember to use it in situations where the unexpectedness has a noteworthy impact instead of replacing common words like "surprising" in informal contexts. Semantically related alternatives such as "astonishing", "remarkable", and "surprising" offer nuanced choices for expressing varying degrees of surprise or wonder.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Astonishing

Indicates a high degree of surprise and disbelief, often implying something is difficult to accept.

Surprising

A general term for something unexpected, without necessarily implying shock or disbelief.

Unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation for something happening, highlighting its unforeseen nature.

Remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthy or exceptional quality of something that causes surprise.

Staggering

Suggests something so surprising that it overwhelms or overwhelms one's senses.

Amazing

Implies something is so good or impressive that it causes wonder and surprise.

Striking

Highlights the noticeable and attention-grabbing nature of something that might be surprising.

Alarming

Focuses on the worry or fear caused by something surprising or unexpected.

Shocking

Indicates something that causes a sudden and upsetting surprise.

Astounding

Suggests something is so impressive or surprising that it leaves one speechless.

FAQs

How can I use "Startling" in a sentence?

You can use "Startling" to describe something that causes surprise or shock. For example, "The "startling news" of the sudden storm caught everyone off guard."

What can I say instead of "Startling"?

You can use alternatives like "astonishing", "surprising", or "remarkable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Startling" or "Surprising"?

"Startling" and "Surprising" are both correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Startling" implies a greater degree of shock or alarm than "Surprising".

What's the difference between "Startling" and "Shocking"?

"Startling" generally refers to something that causes a sudden surprise or jolt, while "Shocking" typically implies something that is deeply disturbing or offensive.