startlement

noun

as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual the look of startlement in her eyes when she found herself at the wedding seated next to her ex-boyfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for startlement
  1. astonishment
  2. amazement
  3. shock
  4. surprise
Noun
  • Much commentary has consisted of expressions of astonishment.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • When Hinton quit in May 2023, AI was mostly a story of astonishment.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of astonishment
Noun
  • No harsh chemicals for her, much to the amazement and envy of her Ghanaian classmates.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Former Fox Sports talk-show host Skip Bayless watched Mahomes carve up the Colts defense with amazement.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazement
Noun
  • Globally, there is shock and condemnation over how Israel has conducted the war, and how Gaza remains in ruins and cut off from the world a year since the ceasefire.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Luckily, Skechers’ AERO Razor relies on a highly responsive HYPER BURST PRO™ midsole foam with HYPER ARC® rocker technology, a shock-absorbing Arch Fit® insole system, and a forefoot H-Wing™ for explosive energy return.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • To [React with exaggerated surprise] is to DO A DOUBLE TAKE — as in, to take out double letters (not consecutive ones, mind you).
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Buckhead is far from a tranquil neighborhood, so this little oasis is a welcome surprise.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprise
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

startled
startlement
startlements
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Cite this Entry

“Startlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startlement. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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