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

The bear, however, startled Johnson when it roared at him Friday morning.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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