startle Definition
- 1cause to feel sudden shock or alarm
- 2move or jump suddenly as a result of a sudden shock or surprise
Using startle: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "startle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The loud noise startled me.
Example
She was startled by the sudden movement.
Example
The sudden appearance of the snake startled the hikers.
Example
The unexpected news startled everyone in the room.
startle Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using startle
Example
The loud explosion startled me out of my wits.
Example
The old man was startled to death by the sudden noise.
Example
She is so nervous that she gets startled by her own shadow.
Phrases with startle
Example
I was startled awake by the sound of thunder.
a facial expression that shows surprise or shock
Example
She had a startled expression on her face when she saw the surprise party.
Example
He had a startled look on his face when he heard the news.
Origins of startle
from Middle English 'stertlen', meaning 'to leap up'
Summary: startle in Brief
'Startle' [ˈstɑːtl] means to cause sudden shock or alarm, or to move or jump suddenly as a result of a sudden shock or surprise. It can be used in phrases like 'startled awake' and 'startled expression,' and idioms like 'startled out of one's wits,' which means to be extremely frightened or shocked.