startle
[ stahr-tl ]
verb (used with object),star·tled, star·tling.
to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.
verb (used without object),star·tled, star·tling.
to start involuntarily, as from a shock of surprise or alarm.
noun
a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.
something that startles.
Origin of startle
1synonym study For startle
1. See shock1.
Other words for startle
Other words from startle
- star·tle·ment, noun
- star·tler, noun
- out·star·tle, verb (used with object), out·star·tled, out·star·tling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for startle
startle
/ (ˈstɑːtəl) /
verb
to be or cause to be surprised or frightened, esp so as to start involuntarily
Origin of startle
1Old English steartlian to stumble; related to Middle High German starzen to strut, Norwegian sterta to strain oneself
Derived forms of startle
- startler, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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