startle

1 of 2

verb

star·​tle ˈstär-tᵊl How to pronounce startle (audio)
startled; startling ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce startle (audio)
ˈstärt-liŋ

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
startlement noun

startle

2 of 2

noun

: a sudden mild shock (as of surprise or alarm)

Examples of startle in a Sentence

Verb I'm sorry that I startled you. the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Your trash schedule might not be top of mind this Independence Day between going to fireworks displays, making a last-minute run to the grocery store or getting startled by loud booms. Eleanor Nash july 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025 According to a crash report, a cicada flew into the driver's window, startling the driver. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
Threaten the rubber hand by attempting to stab it with a dagger, for instance, and the participants exhibit an involuntary startle or fear response. ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025 Vasas and her colleagues also captured the brief startle display of a black swallowtail caterpillar and saw for the first time that its hornlike defense appendages are UV-reflective. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for startle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English stertlen, frequentative of sterten to start

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of startle was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startle. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

startle

verb
star·​tle
ˈstärt-ᵊl
startled; startling
ˈstärt-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to move or jump suddenly (as in surprise or fright)
2
: to frighten suddenly and usually not seriously
the kitten startles easily
startle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on startle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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