View synonyms for

startled

[ stahr-tld ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

disturbed or agitated suddenly, as by surprise or alarm:
Seeing startled herons and egrets flee at the sound of 35 teenagers was a highlight for kids who rarely see birds in their natural habitat.
expressing such surprise or alarm:
A startled cry escaped my throat as I was roughly pulled to my feet by the bodyguard.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of startle.

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Other Word Forms

�ܲ�·��ٲ��·�ٱ�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of startled¹

startle ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The officers appeared startled and possibly even scared by his size.

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They’re easily startled and may arch their back and splay their hands, as if to say, “The world is stressful for me.”

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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.

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Around the corner, on Crosby Street, the people with RVs have been happy — if, initially, a bit startled — to see nearby restaurants, a supermarket and a gym bustling.

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Related Words

startle colour startling

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