absolutely startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely startling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the surprising or shocking nature of something. Example: "The results of the experiment were absolutely startling, revealing unexpected outcomes that no one had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"That's absolutely startling," Chief Justice Roberts said.

The New York Times

"She gave an absolutely startling performance".

The Guardian - Film

His total lack of interest in vocational pathways is absolutely startling".

The Guardian

"That was absolutely startling to me: the clamor of wanting to be present in this new world".

The Guardian - Tech

So it was an absolutely startling sight for Middle Easterners and Middle East hands here, not far from Camp David, to watch the exchange on "Crossfire," and a similar one between Dr. Ashrawi and Yuli Tamir, the Israeli immigration minister, on PBS's "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer".

The New York Times

Underwater photographer Nagaaki Sato has documented the waters near Minamisanrikucho since the 2011 disaster, and his photos of the changes are absolutely startling.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I hadn't heard of it, but was absolutely fascinated by its startling and haunting presence on an ordinary east London green," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That dramatically shifts the focus back to us, the programme makers, to come up with more, new, startling ideas, absolutely unmissable storylines and settings, the sharpest writing.

The Guardian

What is startling was how absolutely coherent our findings were, no matter which analysis we ran.

Stanford University

In the event that you absolutely cannot travel on without startling her, cr0wn her.

WikiHow

We live in a world where a startling number of people make absolutely no sense much of the time, and unfortunately many of these people are quite influential.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely startling" when you want to emphasize the unexpected and surprising nature of something. This phrase is effective when the surprise is significant and somewhat shocking.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely startling" to describe minor surprises or everyday occurrences. This phrase carries a strong sense of shock and can sound exaggerated if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely startling" functions as an intensifier (absolutely) modifying an adjective (startling). According to Ludwig, it emphasizes the degree to which something is surprising or shocking. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in describing unexpected performances or surprising sights.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely startling" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that intensifies the adjective "startling", emphasizing the surprising and often shocking nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suggests it effectively highlights unexpected outcomes. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it's crucial to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in mundane situations. Alternatives like "utterly astonishing" or "completely unexpected" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. While "absolutely startling" is relatively uncommon, when used correctly, it effectively conveys a strong sense of surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly astonishing

Replaces "startling" with "astonishing", emphasizing the level of amazement.

completely unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the shock value.

totally surprising

Uses "surprising" instead of "startling", keeping the core meaning.

genuinely shocking

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the shock.

truly remarkable

Shifts the focus from shock to the noteworthy nature of something.

exceptionally surprising

Uses a synonym of 'absolutely' to strengthen 'surprising'.

quite astonishing

Replaces "absolutely" with "quite", softening the intensity slightly.

remarkably unexpected

Combines "remarkable" with "unexpected", highlighting both the surprise and the significance.

unbelievably surprising

Expresses the surprise as something hard to believe.

flat-out astonishing

Emphasizes the astonishment in a more informal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely startling" in a sentence?

Use "absolutely startling" to describe something highly surprising or shocking. For example, "The sudden plot twist was "absolutely startling"."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely startling"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly astonishing", "completely unexpected", or "genuinely shocking" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "absolutely startling" formal or informal?

The phrase "absolutely startling" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in journalistic or descriptive writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "absolutely startling"?

Avoid using "absolutely startling" for minor or insignificant surprises. It's best suited for describing events or revelations that cause genuine shock or disbelief.