Vocabulary Entry

startle

|verb • noun

verb

to cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm.

Example Sentences

"The loud bang from the fireworks startled the children."

"Don't startle the cat; she's very skittish."

"He was startled by her unexpected arrival."

noun

Example Sentences

"The sudden noise was a huge startle to everyone in the room."

"He experienced a startle when he saw the snake on the path."

"Her startle was evident when the cell phone rang unexpectedly."