Synonyms of startled

startled 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in surprised

Related Words

• surprised
• awed
• bewildered
• wondering
• astounded
• bemused
• astonished
• dumbfounded
• awestruck
• amazed
• flabbergasted
• puzzled
• open-mouthed
• marveling
• staggered
• overwhelmed
• stunned
• stupefied

Dissimilar Words

• unimpressed
• disinterested
• indifferent
• unconcerned
• uninterested
• impassive
• bored
• dispassionate
• incurious
• jaded
• unemotional
• emotionless

2

as in alarmed

Related Words

• alarmed
• terrified
• horrified
• spooked
• afraid
• panicked
• scared
• unnerved
• shocked
• panicky
• apprehensive
• nervous
• panic-stricken
• anxious
• terrorized
• jumpy
• yellow
• jittery
• timid
• pusillanimous
• cowardly
• spooky
• craven
• gutless
• unheroic
• timorous
• dastardly
• spineless
• tremulous
• chicken
• mousy
• fainthearted
• milk-livered
• chickenhearted
• fearful
• scary
• chicken-livered
• lily-livered
• poltroon
• skittish
• shy
• fearsome

Dissimilar Words

• daring
• bold
• adventurous
• brave
• audacious
• hardy
• venturesome
• courageous
• fearless
• undaunted
• intrepid
• dashing
• confident
• gutsy
• heroic
• gallant
• valiant
• dauntless
• stout
• assured
• stalwart
• valorous
• venturous
• determined
• adventuresome
• resolute
• firm
• stouthearted
• undeterred
• plucky
• unflinching
• spirited
• greathearted
• lionhearted
• spunky
• game
• unswerving
• self-assured
• doughty
• self-confident
• mettlesome

startled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of startle

1

as in stunned

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprised
• stunned
• amazed
• shocked
• astonished
• astounded
• stupefied
• dumbfounded
• flabbergasted
• rocked
• thunderstruck
• bewildered
• perplexed
• confused
• disconcerted
• bowled over
• dazed
• befuddled
• nonplussed
• floored
• took by surprise
• dismayed
• took aback
• blindsided
• jarred
• confounded
• discomfited
• muddled
• shook up
• blew away
• knocked for a loop

2

as in jumped

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)

the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jumped
• winced
• cringed
• leaped
• flinched
• bolted
• jerked
• twitched
• started
• spooked
• jolted
• recoiled
• reacted
• responded
• sprang
• bounded
• shrank
• quailed
• blenched
• squinched

3

as in frightened

to strike with fear

loud noises always startle her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frightened
• scared
• terrified
• spooked
• shocked
• horrified
• alarmed
• panicked
• shook
• affrighted
• frighted
• terrorized
• amazed
• appalled
• scarified
• worried
• distracted
• jolted
• astounded
• dismayed
• awed
• gave one the creeps
• made one's flesh creep
• disturbed
• disconcerted
• unnerved
• daunted
• shook up
• upset
• perturbed
• bowled over
• disquieted
• unsettled
• dispirited
• floored
• discomforted
• distressed
• emasculated
• discomposed
• demoralized
• chilled
• psyched (out)
• unmanned
• undid
• unstrung

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassured
• assured
• comforted
• cheered
• soothed
• consoled
• inspired
• encouraged
• emboldened
• heartened
• solaced
• steeled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of startled

Adjective

One of them who’d worked with Juliatra-Monoth gave him a startled look. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026

Ahn seems mildly startled to hear his own consistency read back to him. — Joshua Encinias, IndieWire, 17 June 2026

During the lead-up to this month’s primary elections, some voters in Placer County were startled to receive a text message with an image that looked like a law enforcement logo. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026

Some riders were mounted, while others were leading horses by hand when the startled animals broke free, the outlet said. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

Robinson was startled to discover that this applicant intended to sell guns from his apartment in a building downtown, a few blocks from Camden Yards. — Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 1 June 2026

Plans first unveiled to a startled Fox News host, Laura Ingraham. — ABC News, 17 May 2026

Dinah spilled out, at first too startled to cry. — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026

In the clip, the startled pup wags its tail and stands with the help of rescuers after it's pulled to safety. — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Verb

Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House. — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Comcast startled the industry and Wall Street with the split news early Monday, which comes just a few months after NBCU’s cable networks were spun off into a new company, Versant Media. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Hyland said he’s been startled by how close the construction barges come to shore. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026

The mobile phone alert startled many across the city-state of Dubai, the first such alert since the interim ceasefire. — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Lansley said she has been startled by how chatbots can appear to display emotional intelligence. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

To his luck, the sound finally startled the bear and sent it running. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Officials apparently were startled when more than 2,000 mostly young fans did just that. — Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 17 June 2026