Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Extremely shocked.
  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of startle.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

Etymologies

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Examples

  • His expression startled her, the blaze in his eyes—they were full of faith in her, of confidence in her abilities.

    Cassandra Clare: The Mortal Instrument Series Cassandra Clare 2009

  • His expression startled her, the blaze in his eyes—they were full of faith in her, of confidence in her abilities.

    City of Glass Cassandra Clare 2009

  • The mention of their name startled Frank and Joe out of their trance.

    GHOST STORIES FRANKLIN W. DIXON 1984

  • Izabel choked out a laugh, her expression startled.

    Kresley Cole Immortals After Dark: The Clan MacRieve Kresley Cole 2010

  • Hearing the voice of Cray, the Grissom’s Andorian chief of security, calling her name startled Katerina Mueller, and she dropped her hydrospanner.

    No Limits Peter David 2003

  • "Hello, what's that?" he demanded in startled surprise.

    Chapter 29 2010

  • They watched each other closely after that, and faced about in startled fright whenever either passed behind the other's back.

    In a Far Country 2010

  • They watched each other closely after that, and faced about in startled fright whenever either passed behind the other's back.

    In a Far Country 2010

  • This again startled the creature, and Conan used the opportunity to kick it away.

    Archive 2009-12-01 Reis O'Brien 2009

  • This again startled the creature, and Conan used the opportunity to kick it away.

    Conan Fan Fiction! Cromsblood 2009

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