startle
[stahr-tl]
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.
Origin of startle
Synonyms for startle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for startle
alarm, shock, astound, agitate, amaze, stagger, astonish, awe, stun, scare, terrify, terrorize, fright, floor, spring, spook, affright, jump, start, consternateExamples from the Web for startle
Contemporary Examples of startle
They startle viewers, rouse viewers, occasionally put off and occasionally turn on viewers.
The group acknowledged that the tactic “was meant to startle people.”
Historical Examples of startle
I expect to learn something that will startle the Director of Police.
Jennie Baxter, JournalistRobert Barr
The desire had been strong enough to startle him, to warn him.
A Spirit in PrisonRobert Hichens
If the old man made no will, I'll maybe have summat to say as may startle them a gay bit.
The Shadow of a CrimeHall Caine
It did not startle him; indeed, he was in a mood when nothing could have caused him wonder.
Tales From Two HemispheresHjalmar Hjorth Boysen
On a question so vast and vital you are bound to startle by any little measure.
Another SheafJohn Galsworthy
startle
verb
Word 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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper