/ Dictionary / Index S startling: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: star•tling Pronunciation: (stärt'ling, stär'tl-ing), [key] — adj. creating sudden alarm, surprise, or wonder; astonishing. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: startling (Thesaurus) startle start-up Related Content Daily Word Quiz: endear Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language