completely startling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely startling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very surprising or shocking in a strong manner. Example: "The news of the sudden resignation was completely startling to everyone in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After a moment, it clicks and rolls open all on its own, completely startling me.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was prepared to make a loud noise by banging on the roof if necessary, but I didn't want to do that unless completely necessary, as startling him could have caused him to lash out.

The New York Times

"Annulled" is a startling and completely apt choice here: the slight remoteness of the Latinate word helps to avoid the moral insistence that can disarm poetry about war.

The Guardian - Books

The acceleration of the universe was a startling result that completely changed cosmology; the majority of the universe's mass-energy was of a completely unknown nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Representative Mark Foley of Palm Beach said the Bermuda tax shelter "is startling because it allows companies to completely avoid all income taxes".

The New York Times

With its cast of young, deaf non-professionals, The Tribe uses its absence of spoken words to completely rethink how a film communicates, to startling effect.

The Guardian - Film

As televised images of the riots flooded the nation's households, Rogers began to develop a completely different image for his viewers: a startling image of a black police officer keeping everyone safe in the Neighborhood.

Huffington Post

Relative newcomer Jacob Tremblay is a startling revelation as Jack, a long-haired boy completely oblivious to the everyday struggle his mother goes through to find the will to live.

The Guardian - Film

Regardless, it was startling to discover that people promote the existence of a completely fictitious character.

Huffington Post

The judges' Holcomb lovefest went on and on, which made it especially startling when, moments later, Iovine came out to say he completely disagreed.

Los Angeles Times

Yesterday, in a startling love fest with some normally cantankerous New Yorkers, President Bush delivered completely on his pledge of $20 billion to help the city rebuild -- and then improved upon it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely startling" to emphasize a sudden and profound sense of surprise. Ensure the context warrants such a strong reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "completely startling" for minor surprises. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely startling" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the degree to which something is surprising or shocking, conveying a strong sense of unexpectedness as Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely startling" is a phrase used to convey a strong sense of surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. It's appropriate for neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, to describe events that are profoundly unexpected. Remember to reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant a high degree of surprise to avoid diluting its impact. Consider using synonyms like "utterly astonishing" or "totally shocking" for variety. When writing consider that the frequency of use is rare

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly astonishing

This alternative uses "utterly" for emphasis, suggesting a sense of disbelief.

totally shocking

This alternative uses "shocking" to emphasize the disturbing or upsetting nature of the surprise.

entirely unexpected

This alternative emphasizes the lack of anticipation surrounding the event.

absolutely surprising

This alternative uses "absolutely" to strengthen the degree of surprise.

wholly unanticipated

This alternative uses more formal language to express the unexpected nature of the event.

thoroughly surprising

This alternative underscores how comprehensive the surprise was.

unbelievably surprising

This alternative focuses on the difficulty of believing the surprising event.

flat-out amazing

This alternative brings a positive tone emphasizing the awe-inspiring character of what is startling.

plain flabbergasting

This alternative changes the tone and brings a more informal language emphasizing astonishment.

simply dumbfounding

This alternative conveys a sense of bewilderment or confusion caused by the surprise.

FAQs

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

You can use "completely startling" to describe an event or piece of news that causes profound surprise or shock. For example, "The sudden resignation was a "completely startling" development."

What can I say instead of "completely startling"?

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

Is "completely startling" formal or informal?

"Completely startling" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While acceptable in news and general writing, consider alternatives like "wholly unanticipated" for highly formal contexts.

What makes something "completely startling" versus just "startling"?

The addition of "completely" intensifies the degree of surprise. Something that is "completely startling" is not just surprising but profoundly shocking or unexpected, leaving a strong impression.