startle

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: smartle

Antonyms: smartle

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

1. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To [[move]] suddenly, or be [[excited]], on feeling [[alarm]]; to [[start]].
2. {{lb|en|transitive}} To [[excite]] by sudden alarm, [[surprise]], or [[apprehension]]; to [[frighten]] suddenly and not seriously; to [[alarm]]; to [[surprise]].
3. {{lb|en|transitive|obsolete}} To [[deter]]; to cause to [[deviate]].

Noun

1. A sudden [[motion]] or [[shock]] caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.