startle

[stahr-tl]

verb (used with object)

startled, startling 

1. to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.

   Synonyms: astonish, frighten, scare

2. to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.

verb (used without object)

startled, startling 

1. to start involuntarily, as from a shock of surprise or alarm.

noun

1. a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.

2. something that startles.

startle

/ ˈstɑːtəl /

verb

1. to be or cause to be surprised or frightened, esp so as to start involuntarily

Other Word Forms

• startler noun
• startlement noun
• outstartle verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of startle¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English stertlen “to rush, caper,” equivalent to stert(en) “to begin, start” ( start + -(e)len -le, or continuing Old English steartlian “to kick, struggle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of startle¹

Old English steartlian to stumble; related to Middle High German starzen to strut, Norwegian sterta to strain oneself

Synonym Study

See shock ¹.

Example Sentences

Political cartooning is a dying art, usurped by illustrations that trade intelligent ribbing for low-brow button pushing — or, equally as startling, memes that require minimal effort to make.

From Salon

It was as startling as seeing a bear swimming in a backyard pool.

From Los Angeles Times

She says the guides told her the guards were needed to "prevent situations where we interacted with locals and startled them".

From BBC

His startling claims had thrown the tiny religious town of Dharmasthala in the southern state of Karnataka into turmoil.

From BBC

In video posted to social media, large flames can be seen rising from a check-in desk as a number of startled passengers look on.

From BBC

Related Words

• agitate 
• alarm 
• amaze 
• astonish 
• astound 
• awe 
• scare 
• shake up 
• shock 
• stagger 
• stun 
• terrify