startle

[ stahr-tl ]

/ ˈstɑr tl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR startle ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

starting grid, starting handle, starting price, starting rate, starting stalls, startle, startle colour, startle epilepsy, startle reflex, startling, startlingly

Origin of startle

before 1100; Middle English stertlen to rush, caper, equivalent to stert(en) to start + -(e)len -le, or continuing Old English steartlian to kick, struggle

SYNONYMS FOR startle

1 scare, frighten, astonish. See shock¹.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR startle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsstar·tle·ment, nounstar·tler, nounout·star·tle, verb (used with object), out·star·tled, out·star·tling.un·star·tled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for startled

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

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 Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The form of expression was so crude that once more Barbara was startled.
The Dust Flower|Basil King
The mother was startled by the words, for she thought herself alone when she uttered the wish.
In Story-land|Elizabeth Harrison
The monkey was so startled at the cry that he fell upon the sharp bamboo and was killed.
Philippine Folk Tales|Mabel Cook Cole
Wetherell thought he heard him muttering, "No, no," and then he was startled by another voice in his ear.
Coniston, Complete|Winston Churchill
On looking closely at the still silent lady on the sofa, he was startled at recognising a dress with which he was well acquainted.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 65, No. 399, January 1849|Various

British Dictionary definitions for startled

startle

/ (ˈstɑːtəl) /

verb

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

Derived Formsstartler, noun

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

startle

verb (used with object), star·tled, star·tling.

verb (used without object), star·tled, star·tling.

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of startle

Examples from the Web for startled

British Dictionary definitions for startled

startle

verb

Word Origin for startle