Startling and Stunning

Startling

Startling adjective - Causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness.
Usage example: the startling news that my sister will be having a baby

Stunning is a synonym for startling in surprising topic. In some cases you can use "Stunning" instead an adjective "Startling", when it comes to topics like astounding.

Nearby Words: startle, startled, startler

Stunning

Stunning adjective - Causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness.
Usage example: we suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the bottom-ranked team in the division

Startling is a synonym for stunning in astounding topic. You can use "Startling" instead an adjective "Stunning".

Nearby Words: stunned, stunner, stunningly
Cite this Source
Stunning and Startling. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/stunning
Startling & Stunning. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/stunning>.
Stunning or Startling. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/stunning.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "startling" and "stunning" have occurred on timeline