Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When your cat jumps up to the counter, they'll land on the foil, and the noise and texture of the metallic sheet will startle them, causing them to jump back down.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2022

“I don’t believe the energy here is malevolent. Things will happen here that will startle me, but not harm me,” she said.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2022

This will startle any creature, mouse or man.

From Economist • Feb. 22, 2018

“Hitting the snout of the shark with a hard object like your fist or an inanimate object will startle the shark,” says Burgess.

From Time • Jul. 20, 2015

This will startle those who have not attended to the subject; but I am confident that such an event is an object of vast political consequence.

From Noah Webster American Men of Letters by Scudder, Horace E.