startled

[ stahr-tld ]

/ ˈstɑr tld /

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See synonyms for startled on Thesaurus.com

adjective

disturbed or agitated suddenly, as by surprise or alarm: Seeing startled herons and egrets flee at the sound of 35 teenagers was a highlight for kids who rarely see birds in their natural habitat.

expressing such surprise or alarm: A startled cry escaped my throat as I was roughly pulled to my feet by the bodyguard.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of startle.

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Origin of startled

startle + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM startled

un·star·tled, adjective

Words nearby startled

starting rate, starting stalls, start in on, startle, startle colour, startled, startling, start off, start on, start out, start over

How to use startled in a sentence

Astronomers around the world were startled in late 2019 when Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in the sky, grew dark for several months.
Dust and a cold spell on Betelgeuse could explain why the giant star dimmed|Lisa Grossman|June 16, 2021|Science News
Many of us have run across the startled tenant or homeowner who doesn’t get the notification about an appointment.
Real estate’s occupational hazards|Valerie Blake|May 9, 2021|Washington Blade
When I reached the waterfall, I was startled to discover that I had the place to myself for a few moments, thanks to the same reservation system that had shut me out for so long.
To Permit or Not to Permit?|Shawnté Salabert|April 15, 2021|Outside Online
It promotes a startled knee-jerk response, potentially alienating people who might have been allies, and it implies an unrealistic snap-of-the- fingers simplicity for those who are willing to fight for change but can’t stomach the long haul.
A conversation about race, but with whom?|Tre Johnson|April 2, 2021|Washington Post

A prey species, pheasants try to stick to cover and will run away from threats through that cover unless startled.
How Non-Native Pheasants Protect American Biodiversity|Wes Siler|April 1, 2021|Outside Online
Some heads nodded in recognition of this, others look startled.
New York Nurses Are the Calm in Ebola’s Storm|Abby Haglage|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Police report that he was so startled by being tracked down so quickly that he immediately confessed.
Indiana Serial Killer’s Confession Was Just the Start|Michael Daly|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the family hunted for anything personal that could be retrieved, they were startled when the phone began to ring.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive|Clive Irving|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Though Bates was startled by these changes, he was less alarmed by them than many naturalists are today.
Exploring the Amazon, While We Still Can|Darrell Hartman|May 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Hound takes care of the rest, and Arya, startled by her actions, picks the coin back up and whispers, “Valar Morghulis.”
‘Game of Thrones’ Star Maisie Williams, aka Arya Stark, on Her Big Premiere Episode ‘Two Swords’|Marlow Stern|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At first startled, her second thought was that this would be the best possible thing which could happen.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
The startled operators at Umballa could obtain no further intelligence and the boy was slain at his post.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
She held out her hand and the Professor was about to take it when she drew it back with a startled movement.
Uncanny Tales|Various
But I was still more startled by the action of the barman who lifted up the glass and held it whilst the man drank.
Uncanny Tales|Various
A few minutes, and he would perhaps have slipped across the border—when something startled him into sudden life again.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood