Startling

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈstɑɹ.tl̩.ɪŋ/

Definitions

1. Inciting a feeling of shock or surprise frequently arising from something unforeseen
2. Triggering an intense emotional response due to an abrupt or alarming occurrence
3. Producing an unexpected or shocking effect that grabs attention

Etymology: Before it described a sudden jolt of alarm, the root of this word described a body in motion. "Startle" comes from the Old English "steartlian," which likely meant to leap, jump, or kick about suddenly, the way a horse shies or a bird bursts from cover. The emotional sense grew out of that physical jump, the body reacting before the mind catches up. The adjective is the participle of that verb, so something startling is one that makes you jump. "Start" shares this sense of sudden movement, which is why a startled animal and a startled person both leap before they think.

Synonyms: surprising, astonishing, shocking, unexpected, jarring

Antonyms: unremarkable, ordinary, predictable, expected