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star·tle
 startle
- pronunciation:
- star
t
 l
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
startled, startles, startling |
| definition 1: |
to cause to move suddenly.
The bolt of thunder startled me out of bed.- synonyms:
- jolt
- similar words:
- agitate, frighten, jar, shake
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| definition 2: |
to alarm suddenly; surprise.
The cat startled me when she jumped up on my lap.- synonyms:
- alarm, scare, shock, surprise
- similar words:
- agitate, astonish, disturb, fluster, frighten, jar, jolt, ruffle, shake, stun, upset
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| definition 3: |
to become surprised or scared.
My mother startles easily if I sneak up on her quietly.- synonyms:
- jump, scare
- similar words:
- flinch, fluster, ruffle, shy, start
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| related words: |
bowl over, catch, scare, shock, surprise |
| derivation: |
startlingly (adv.) |
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