startle

¹star·tle

verb \ˈstär-t^əl\

star·tledstar·tling\ˈstärt-liŋ, ˈstär-t^əl-iŋ\

Definition of STARTLE

intransitive verb

: to move or jump suddenly (as in surprise or alarm) <the baby startles easily>

transitive verb

: to frighten or surprise suddenly and usually not seriously

— star·tle·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of STARTLE

1. I'm sorry that I startled you.
2. <the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover>

Origin of STARTLE

Middle English stertlen, frequentative of sterten to start

First Known Use: 1530

Related to STARTLE

Synonyms: amaze, astonish, astound, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, surprise, stun, stupefy, thunderstrike

Antonyms: reassure

Related Words: befuddle, bewilder, blindside, blow away, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up

Near Antonyms: assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

see all synonyms and antonyms

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