26984 words

startle

2 definitions • 4 examples
1
to do something unexpected that surprises and sometimes worries a person or animal:

Examples:

She was concentrating on her book and his voice startled her.
The noise of the car startled the birds and the whole flock flew up into the air.
Her article on diet startled many people into changing their eating habits.
2
to surprise a person or animal:

Examples:

She startled him when she said hello.

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