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Startle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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startle

[หˆstษ‘หrt(ษ™)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

sudden reaction

To cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm, often making them jump or shout.

Synonyms

alarm, frighten, shock, surprise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
startle

Used when someone is suddenly and unexpectedly scared or surprised, often by a small or quick event.

  • The loud noise startled the dog.
  • She was startled by the sudden appearance of her friend.
surprise

Used when someone is pleasantly or neutrally caught off guard by something unexpected. It may or may not involve fear.

  • They surprised her with a birthday party.
  • I was surprised to see him at the event.
shock

Used when someone is extremely surprised or horrified by something unexpected, often related to dramatic or significant events.

  • The news of his sudden death shocked us all.
  • She was shocked by the betrayal of her closest friend.
frighten

Used to describe causing someone to feel scared or anxious, often intentionally or as a result of a more significant threat.

  • His creepy costume frightened the children.
  • The dark forest frightened her.
alarm

Used when someone is made fearful or worried about something that seems dangerous or concerning. Often implies a more intense, urgent fear.

  • The fire alarm alarmed everyone in the building.
  • News of the pandemic alarmed the public.

Examples of usage

  • He was startled by the loud noise.
  • The unexpected bang startled the cat.
  • She was startled to see her ex-boyfriend at the party.
Context #2 | Noun

feeling

A sudden feeling of shock or alarm.

Synonyms

alarm, fright, shock, surprise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
startle

Used when something unexpectedly causes a sudden, brief feeling of fear or surprise.

  • The loud noise from the fireworks startle me
  • He was startle by the unexpected phone call
surprise

Used to indicate a feeling of wonder or astonishment caused by something unexpected.

  • The surprise birthday party makes her so happy
  • She opens the box and finds a surprise gift inside
shock

Used when an event or news causes a sudden and intense feeling of surprise, which can be positive or negative.

  • The news of her promotion was quite a shock
  • He felt shock when he saw the car accident
fright

Used when describing a strong feeling of fear, usually in response to an immediate threat or danger. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The sudden appearance of the ghost gives her a fright
  • The approaching storm fills the sailors with fright
alarm

Used when someone experiences a strong sense of urgency or fear, often related to potential danger.

  • The smoke filling the room alarms everyone inside
  • Her strange behavior causes me to be alarmed

Examples of usage

  • She felt a startle when the door slammed.
  • His sudden appearance gave her a startle.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'startle'

The word 'startle' originated in the late Middle English period, derived from the Middle Low German word 'starlen', meaning 'quicken'. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in the English language, focusing on the sudden shock or alarm reaction. The concept of being startled has been a common human experience throughout history, often linked to survival instincts and the body's fight-or-flight response.

See also: restart, startable, starter, starting, startled, upstart.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,472, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.