Associations to the word «Startling»

Wiktionary

STARTLING, verb. Present participle of startle
STARTLING, adjective. Likely to startle; surprising; shocking.

Dictionary definition

STARTLING, adjective. So remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm; "Sydney's startling new Opera House"; "startling news"; "startling earthquake shocks".

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats