Startling and Surprising

Startling

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

Surprising is a synonym for startling in frightful topic. In some cases you can use "Surprising" instead an adjective "Startling", when it comes to topics like amazing. popular alternative

Nearby Words: startle, startled, startler

Surprising

Surprising adjective - Causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness.
Usage example: the surprising news that they were going to have a baby had them rushing to buy nursery furniture

Startling is a synonym for surprising in astonishing topic. You can use "Startling" instead an adjective "Surprising", if it concerns topics such as unexpected, amazing. popular alternative

Nearby Words: surprise, surprisingly, surprised, surprizing
Cite this Source
Surprising and Startling. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/surprising
Startling & Surprising. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/surprising>.
Surprising or Startling. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/surprising.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "startling" and "surprising" have occurred on timeline