startle
verb (used with object), star·tled, star·tling.
verb (used without object), star·tled, star·tling.
noun
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Origin of startle
Synonyms for startle
Examples from the Web for startled
Contemporary Examples of startled
Police report that he was so startled by being tracked down so quickly that he immediately confessed.
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 ForgiveClive Irving
August 3, 2014
Though Bates was startled by these changes, he was less alarmed by them than many naturalists are today.
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
Louis looked at me with a startled air, but recovering himself said kindly, “Of course I renounce the—what is it I must renounce?”
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the ShowRobert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
Historical Examples of startled
She was studying her material; and it must be confessed that they startled her not a little.
Ester Ried Yet SpeakingIsabella Alden
Yet there had been a look on her face when she saw those two which startled and hurt him.
Ester Ried Yet SpeakingIsabella Alden
She had not seen the boy for two months, and the change in him startled her.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
Out of the tail of his eye he could see that the rest of the Council were startled.
The Trail BookMary Austin
This outburst from Mrs. Porter startled the girl; it was so passionate, so vehement.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser