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View synonyms for
startle
[ stahr-tl ]
verb (used with object)
startled, startling.
- to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
Synonyms: , ,
- to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.
verb (used without object)
startled, startling.
- to start involuntarily, as from a shock of surprise or alarm.
noun
- a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.
- something that startles.
startle
/ ˈɑːə /
verb
- to be or cause to be surprised or frightened, esp so as to start involuntarily
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Derived Forms
- ˈٲٱ, noun
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Other Word Forms
- ٲ·ٱ·Գ noun
- ٲ·ٱ noun
- dzܳ·ٲ·ٱ verb (used with object) outstartled outstartling
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of startle1
Old English steartlian to stumble; related to Middle High German starzen to strut, Norwegian sterta to strain oneself
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Synonym Study
See shock 1.
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Example Sentences
Examples have not been reviewed.
The officers appeared startled and possibly even scared by his size.
From
They’re easily startled and may arch their back and splay their hands, as if to say, “The world is stressful for me.”
From
This wild and impolitic work startled civilized Parisian salons with what sounded like sheer ugliness.
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I think maybe I startled it, and then when I blew the whistle, I for sure startled it, and I think it was just curious at that point.
From
happened in the first quarter of this century is already being weaponized in a startling fashion in the second era of Donald Trump.
From
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