startle
[ stahr-tl ]
/ ˈstɑr tl /
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZZES
WERE YOU BAMBOOZLED BY THE WORDS FROM FEBRUARY?
We understand! Words are tricky that way. Take this quiz on the Words of the Day from February, 2021, to show that you’re far from frumious!
Question 1 of 10
Which Word of the Day means “happening within or being the created world of a story”?
Origin of startle
synonym study for startle
1. See shock1.
OTHER WORDS FROM startle
star·tle·ment, nounstartler, nounoutstartle, verb (used with object), out·star·tled, out·star·tling.un·star·tled, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for startle
British Dictionary definitions for startle
startle
/ (ˈstɑːtəl) /
verb
to be or cause to be surprised or frightened, esp so as to start involuntarily
Derived forms of startle
startler, nounWord 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