ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary BuilderWordsSstartle
ISEE/SSATeasy
startle
Meaning: to surprise someone suddenly
startle in a sentence
How startle is used in real sentences:
The toaster popping startled the sleepy cat.
The unexpected ring of the timer startled Ben.
“The sudden flap of a heron's wings could startle it into the channel.”
— from the passage The Returning Shore
Synonyms for startle
Other words for startle — surprise, shock and alarm — carry the same meaning.
- surprise
- shock
- alarm
Antonyms of startle
Words that mean the opposite of startle:
- soothe
- reassure
Where it comes from
From Middle English startlen 'to move suddenly'
Memory hook
Think of shouting 'Start!' unexpectedly—it could startle someone by surprising them.