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- pronunciation:
- star
t
 l
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
startles, startling, startled |
| definition 1: |
to cause to move suddenly or involuntarily.
- synonyms:
- jolt
- similar words:
- agitate, frighten, jar, shake
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| definition 2: |
to alarm unexpectedly; surprise.
- synonyms:
- alarm, scare, shock, surprise
- similar words:
- agitate, astonish, disconcert, disturb, faze, fluster, frighten, jar, jolt, ruffle, shake, stun, unnerve, unsettle, upset
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| related words: |
bowl over, catch, shock, surprise |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to become surprised or alarmed.
- synonyms:
- jump, scare
- similar words:
- flinch, fluster, freak, quail, recoil, ruffle, shy, start, unsettle
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| related words: |
scare |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a sudden start or mild shock.
I gave her a startle when I slammed the door.- synonyms:
- jolt, start
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| derivation: |
startlingly (adv.) |
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