Startling
Startling adjective - Causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness.
Terrifying and startling are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Terrifying" instead an adjective "Startling".
Terrifying
Terrifying adjective - Causing fear.
Usage example: heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Startling and terrifying are semantically related. You can use "Startling" instead an adjective "Terrifying".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- disturbing and startling
- disturbing and terrifying
- terrible and startling
- terrible and terrifying
- dreadful and startling
- dreadful and terrifying
- frightful and startling
- frightful and terrifying
- shocking and startling
- shocking and terrifying
- wonderful and startling
- wonderful and terrifying
- stunning and startling
- stunning and terrifying
Both words in one sentence
- There are a ton of tight, enclosed areas in the First Encounter Assault Recon games, most of which don't actually have any scares or attacks in them....which makes the moments where Alma does jump you even more startling and terrifying.
Source: Primal Fear -
Careful with That Axe: "Lord Only Knows" begins with a startling scream that is either terrifying or comical.
Source: Music / Beck -
It comes out looking far more terrifying than it's supposed to, and keeps getting found in various unexpected and startling places.
Source: Taxidermy Terror
Cite this Source
Terrifying and Startling. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/terrifying
Startling & Terrifying. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/terrifying>.
Terrifying or Startling. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/terrifying.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "startling" and "terrifying" have occurred on timeline