startlingstart‧ling /ˈstɑːtlɪŋ $ ˈstɑːrt-/ adjective 
Paddy’s words had a startling effect on the children. a startling discoveryit is startling to do something It is startling to read that his father never visited him in hospital.—startlingly adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- DuPont's 1988 survey showed a startling change in the attitude of male employees.
- The programme documents startling new theories about the way the universe began.
- There has been a startling increase in the numbers of homeless people.
- A typically startling and ambitious novel of murder and other threats.
- And the consequences could be even more startling, for better or for worse.
- Perhaps even more startling, given the recent repressive climate, Zverev himself could also be seen working intuitively in public.
- The conclusion which is reached is quite startling.
- The one exception was her glasses, whose frames were a startling pink - perhaps an attempt to liven up her image?
- The sound of clothes tumbling on to the floor was a startling phenomenon, difficult to interpret.
- Their non-media businesses included startling acquisitions such as the prestige Chateau Latour vineyard and the Royal Doulton china business.
Longman Language Activatormaking you feel surprised
· A surprising number of teenagers leave school without being able to read and write.· Some of the conclusions in the report were quite surprising.it is surprising (that) · Wasn't it surprising that so few people came to the party?it is surprising to see/find/ learn etc · In such a small town it was surprising to find so many really good restaurants.it is surprising how/what etc · Liddy really didn't want to change school, but it was surprising how quickly she got used to the new one.
very surprising - use this especially about something very good or impressive: · Hong Kong is an absolutely amazing city.· What an amazing achievement!it is amazing how/what: · It's amazing how much work you can do in a day if you put your mind to it.it is amazing that: · After 2000 years, it's amazing that the inscriptions are still clear enough to read.it's amazing to see/find/think etc: · Isn't it amazing to think that men have actually stood on the moon?
something that is astonishing or astounding is so surprising that it is difficult to believe: · If you watch the way a spider makes its web, it's really astonishing.· The submarine was moving through the water at an astonishing speed.· The results of the tests were astounding.· In the area around London, house prices rose by an astounding 200 per cent in three years.it is astonishing/astounding that: · It was astounding that, as a mother, Sally also managed to do two jobs.it is astonishing how/what: · It's astonishing how much things have changed since the arrival of computers.it is astonishing to find/think/realize etc: · Isn't it astonishing to think that people may one day live for hundreds of years?
extremely surprising and difficult to believe: · He's so rude. It's unbelievable!· Over the next two weeks, we saw an incredible change in her character.it is unbelievable/incredible that: · They were driving much too fast. It's incredible that no-one was hurt.it is unbelievable how/what: · I think it was really unbelievable how he went on deceiving her for all those years.it is unbelievable to see/think/realize etc: · It's unbelievable to think how slow things were in the days before e-mail.
something that is unexpected makes you feel surprised because you did not expect it to happen or be true: · Her decision to leave was completely unexpected.· The new drug comes from an unexpected source -- potatoes.· Ella's angry outburst was so unexpected that Mike really didn't know what to say.
a startling fact is one that you would never have expected to be true: · There has been a startling increase in the numbers of homeless people.· The programme documents startling new theories about the way the universe began.
a staggering number or amount is very surprising because it is so large: · Apparently, we spend a staggering £2.4 billion a year on food for our pets.· a staggering rise in crime· The results of the survey were staggering - over half the children said that they went to school without any breakfast.
informal something that is mind-boggling is so big, strange, or complicated that it is almost impossible to imagine or believe: · The amount of money that some countries spend on weapons is mind-boggling.· His salary is nothing compared to the mind-boggling figures earned by some sportsmen.it is mind-boggling to think/realize etc: · It's mind-boggling to think that our solar system is only one among billions.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES startling revelations about his backgroundCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
very unusual or surprising: · After years of research, he reached a startling conclusion.
(=very noticeable and surprising)· The big modern factories make a startling contrast to the opposite side of the road.
(=very surprising)· When they examined the virus, they made a startling discovery.
(=used about something so new and different that it surprises you)· We were amazed by the startling originality of his thinking.
startling revelations about his background· The most startling and controversial aspect of the shooting had been the use of a Thompson sub-machine gun.· On the other hand, some women were capable of the most startling changes.· The most startling innovation was the introduction of juries.· But the most startling fact revealed in the survey even had an element of quixotic honour attached to it.
NOUN· It's just a bit difficult to get used to the startling contrast, that's all ... Hey!· One of the town's biggest modern factories makes a startling contrast on the opposite side of the road.
Paddy’s words had a startling effect on the children. a startling discoveryit is startling to do something It is startling to read that his father never visited him in hospital.—startlingly adverb