startle

[stahr-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.

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

/ ˈstɑːtəl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of startle¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of startle¹

Old English steartlian to stumble; related to Middle High German starzen to strut, Norwegian sterta to strain oneself

Synonym Study

See shock ¹.

Example Sentences

He’s startled to learn that his 57-year-old father is marrying Robin’s 30-year-old sister, having made the assumption that Robin’s mother was the bride-to-be.

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The temple's general manager Pairat Soodthoop was "startled" to hear a faint knock from the coffin, he told the Associated Press news agency.

Read more on BBC

However, there are concerning trends Crawley must correct - most startling a sharp downturn in his record against high pace.

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Few people who have been on the national stage this long retain an ability to startle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Usually, they’re referring to a closing scene in the film “The Notebook,” in which a wife, who has dementia, has a moment of startling clarity and suddenly recognizes her husband.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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