Startling and Unanticipated

Startling

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

Unanticipated is a synonym for startling in amazing topic. In some cases you can use "Unanticipated" instead an adjective "Startling".

Nearby Words: startle, startled, startler

Unanticipated

Unanticipated adjective - Not expected.
Usage example: ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program

Startling is a synonym for unanticipated in unexpected topic. You can use "Startling" instead an adjective "Unanticipated", if it concerns topics such as amazing, surprising.
Cite this Source
Unanticipated and Startling. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/unanticipated
Startling & Unanticipated. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/unanticipated>.
Unanticipated or Startling. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/startling/unanticipated.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "startling" and "unanticipated" have occurred on timeline