startle

star·tle  (stärtl)

v. star·tled, star·tling, star·tles

v.tr.

1. To cause to make a quick involuntary movement or start.

2. To alarm, frighten, or surprise suddenly. See Synonyms at frighten.

v.intr.

To become alarmed, frightened, or surprised.

n.

A sudden mild shock; a start.

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[Middle English stertlen, to run about, from Old English steartlian, to kick; see ster-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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startling·ly adv.

startling·ness n.

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startle

Verb

[-tling, -tled] to slightly surprise or frighten someone [Old English steartlian to kick, struggle]

startling adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	startle - a sudden involuntary movement; "he awoke with a start" jump, start inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus startle reaction, startle response - a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions Moro reflex, startle reflex - a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs flinch, wince - a reflex response to sudden pain
Verb	1.	startle - to stimulate to action ; "..startled him awake"; "galvanized into action" galvanise, galvanize ball over, blow out of the water, floor, shock, take aback - surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off; "I was floored when I heard that I was promoted"
	2.	startle - move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm; "She startled when I walked into the room" jump, start move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right" shy - start suddenly, as from fright boggle - startle with amazement or fear rear back - start with anger or resentment or in protest jackrabbit - go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement

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startle

verb surprise, shock, alarm, frighten, scare, agitate, take (someone) aback, make (someone) jump, give (someone) a turn (informal)

Translations

startle [ˈstɑːtl] vt → asustar, sobresaltar

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startle [ˈstɑːtl] vt → faire sursauter; donner un choc à

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startle [ˈstɑːtl] vt → erschrecken

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startle [ˈstɑːtl] vt → far trasalire