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startle
[ stahr-tl ]
/ ËstÉr tl /
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verb (used with object), star·tled, star·tling.
to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.
verb (used without object), star·tled, star·tling.
to start involuntarily, as from a shock of surprise or alarm.
noun
a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.
something that startles.
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Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Origin of startle
synonym study for startle
1. See shock1.
OTHER WORDS FROM startle
star·tle·ment, nounstar·tler, nounout·star·tle, verb (used with object), out·star·tled, out·star·tling.Words nearby startle
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use startle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for startle
startle
/ (ËstÉËtÉl) /
verb
to be or cause to be surprised or frightened, esp so as to start involuntarily
Derived forms of startle
startler, nounWord Origin for startle
Old English steartlian to stumble; related to Middle High German starzen to strut, Norwegian sterta to strain oneself
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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