i Register
In some senses, startle is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
startle
UK /ˈstɑːt(ə)l/ US /ˈstɑɹt(ə)l/
verb 3noun 1
Collocations
4ADJ.
mean, shy, trying
VERB + STARTLE
causes, didn't, doesn't, don't, power, want
STARTLE + NOUN
anyone, enthrall, rima, spider, spirits
ADV.
always
Definitions
verb
1
To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
a horse that startles easily
Why shrinks the soul / Back on herself, and startles at destruction?
2
To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
The supposition, at least, that angels do sometimes assume bodies need not startle us.
Nothing could startle her, make her scold or make her cry. She did not complain, she did not rebel.
3
To deter; to cause to deviate.
it would blast all their hopes, and startle all other princes from joining
As they turned into Hertford Street they startled a robin from the poet's head on a barren fountain, and he fled away with a cameo note.
noun
1
A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.
The figure of a man heaving in sight amidst these wide solitudes, always causes a startle and thrill of expectation and doubt, similar to the feeling produced by the announcement of " a strange sail ahead" on shipboard, during a long voyage.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
a horse that startles easily
Wiktionary02
Why shrinks the soul / Back on herself, and startles at destruction?
Wiktionary03
He felt, too, that he was acting unjustly by Ethel: he had allowed a fortnight to elapse—he startled when he numbered up the days; it is strange how we allow them to glide imperceptibly away.
Wiktionary04
The figure of a man heaving in sight amidst these wide solitudes, always causes a startle and thrill of expectation and doubt, similar to the feeling produced by the announcement of " a strange sail a
Wiktionary05
I didn't mean to startle you.
Tatoeba · #180415006
We don't want to startle anyone.
Tatoeba · #2014767Usage Notes
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