startled

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.

---

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

---

startling·ly adv.

startling·ness n.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

startled - excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement; "students startled by the teacher's quiet return"; "the sudden fluttering of the startled pigeons"; "her startled expression" surprised - taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment; "surprised by her student's ingenuity"; "surprised that he remembered my name"; "a surprised expression"