startle

American  

[stahr-tl] / ˈstɑr tl /

verb (used with object)

startled, startling

1. to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.

   Synonyms:

   astonish, frighten, scare

2. to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.

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verb (used without object)

startled, startling

1. to start involuntarily, as from a shock of surprise or alarm.

noun

1. a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.

2. something that startles.

startle British  

/ ˈstɑːtəl /

verb

1. to be or cause to be surprised or frightened, esp so as to start involuntarily

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Related Words

See shock ¹.

Other Word Forms

• outstartle verb (used with object)
• startlement noun
• startler noun

Etymology

Origin of startle

First recorded before 1100; Middle English stertlen “to rush, caper,” equivalent to stert(en) “to begin, start” ( start + -(e)len -le, or continuing Old English steartlian “to kick, struggle”

Example Sentences

A Southern California driver made a startling discovery Sunday morning when they found a live bird of prey stuck in the grille of their car.

From Los Angeles Times

The onstage dispute between Shapiro and Carlson startled some in the audience, who said it was unexpected, given Kirk’s skill in bringing disparate voices from politics and online media together at his events.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many emergency management experts were startled after the January fires to learn that the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

As the show starts in the 500-seat theatre in Huddersfield, bright lights wash over the children's faces, their ears startled by the band.

From BBC

Hargitay’s deep exploration of Mansfield’s life and the discovery that her mother was the exact opposite of her onscreen persona leads her to some startling revelations that affect her own life.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitate
• alarm
• amaze
• astonish
• astound
• awe
• scare
• shake up
• shock
• stagger
• stun
• terrify