startle
IPA: stˈɑrtʌɫ
noun
- A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.
verb
- (intransitive) To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
- (transitive) To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
- (transitive, obsolete) To deter; to cause to deviate.
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Examples of "startle" in Sentences
- The loud crash in the kitchen made me startle and drop the plate I was holding
- A sudden burst of thunder made the dog startle and run for cover under the bed
- The unexpected tap on my shoulder caused me to startle and spin around in surprise
- The eerie creaking noise coming from the attic made me startle and freeze in fear
- As I rounded the corner, a masked figure jumped out and yelled, causing me to startle and scream in terror
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