Meaning & use
startle
Last updated
To cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm, typically because of something unexpected.
See it in a sentence
A loud clap of thunder startled the sleeping cat.
Don't sneak up on her like that, you'll startle her.
A note on using this word
Startle implies a brief, involuntary reaction, unlike 'frighten,' which can describe a more lasting fear.
Words with a similar meaning
surprisealarm
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
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