startle 1 of 2

verb

ˈstär-tᵊl How to pronounce startle (audio)
Definition of startlenext
1
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to frighten
to strike with fear loud noises always startle her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

startle

2 of 2

noun

as in shock

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of startle
Verb
Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026 Indeed, Hartstone-Rose and his colleagues noted in their 2020 paper that some of the animals could have been startled by the humans, but the researchers weren’t sure. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026
Noun
The record-scratch startle that jump-starts the dramatic arc occurs when Eleanor (Squibb) is trying to figure out what to do with herself at a Manhattan Jewish community center after recently relocating from Florida. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025 Yet the combination of startle, confusion, at least nineteen warning and caution messages, inconsistent information, and lack of recent experience hand-flying the aircraft led the crew to enter a dangerous stall. — David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for startle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for startle
  1. amaze
  2. jump
  3. frighten
  4. shock
  5. surprise
  6. wince
  7. scare
  8. astonishment
Verb
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Just before halftime, van Persie slipped past the Spanish defensive line to receive a long-range pass from teammate Daley Blind and looped the ball over Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a first-time diving header that amazed the audience.
    — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • While only a modest change, July marks the first time in 15 months that egg prices jumped month-over-month.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Navy Times and Stars and Stripes reported several instances of crew members on the vessel attempting to jump overboard.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Diego Gomez is a stop-gap alternative, but Mitoma remains a key figure who frightens opposing defences with his dribbling speed and influential record in the top flight.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But what frightened me most was not death alone, but the idea of dying before my writings reached the world—that my story would disappear with me, and that my feelings, my memories, my identity, and my human experience would be erased.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • The Jays were in shock on trade deadline day, Max Scherzer said.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • This year introduces an exclusive Wave Maker color and ISO Dynamic front seats, designed to absorb shocks for a smoother ride on diverse terrains.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • The result surprised the team because semiconductor materials are generally highly sensitive to impurities.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • If Dern gets on top of Robertson, though, the fight could be over, and a submission for Dern wouldn’t surprise me.
    — Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • My husband walked into the room and winced as one of the women changed into a perfect re-creation of an American Girl–doll outfit (very theater kid, not his thing).
    — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Today, hardly anyone winces at its many iterations, from teeny-weeny bikini to the tankini in dots large or small.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Definition of wince
Verb
  • Ten sailors died in one attack, which has scared away nearly all international ships.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The exposure obviously scares him, but not enough to stop him from filming his next scene, where he’s been tasked with breaking in newcomer Cami Soul.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scare
Noun
  • The Platts look on with astonishment when their idyllic 1970s neighborhood appears to be transported way back in time.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 30 July 2026
  • The revelation itself becomes part of the artwork, shifting the experience from astonishment to reflection and encouraging a more critical examination of the assumptions that shape everyday life.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of astonishment

Browse Nearby Words

starting
startle
startled
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Cite this Entry

“Startle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/startle. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of startle for Spanish Speakers

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