verb
- to cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm
- to move or react suddenly because of surprise or fear
Usage: transitive
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- The loud noise startled the sleeping cat.
- Don’t startle me like that!
- She startled when the door slammed shut.
- The unexpected phone call startled him awake.
- The deer startled and ran into the woods.
- I didn’t mean to startle you with my sudden appearance.
- He startled at the sound of footsteps behind him.