startle
Make someone jump
Startle describes a sudden involuntary reaction to something unexpected—a noise, movement, or surprise that catches you off guard.
The response is physical: a jolt, a gasp, perhaps jumping in your seat.
The car backfiring startled everyone on the sidewalk.
As a noun, startle names this reaction: She gave a startle when the cat leaped from the closet.
Unlike frighten, startle emphasizes the abruptness rather than the fear itself.
Cause sudden fright
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- spookApparition or frighten
- unnerveDisturb someone's composure
- terrifyCause extreme fright
panic · petrify · daunt · intimidate · dismay · menace · threaten · cow
Shock with wonder
flabbergast · take aback · catch off guard · blindside · jolt · shock · stagger · bowl over
Involuntary retreat from threat
- jumpPropel oneself airborne
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- twitchInvoluntary muscular jerk
- gaspSudden sharp breath
recoil · blink · wince · spasm · shudder · involuntary · instinctive · reaction
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
jarring · sharp · quick · instantaneous · split-second · bolt · out of nowhere · without warning
scare
Cause sudden fright
terrify · panic · petrify · daunt · intimidate · dismay · menace · threaten · cow · apprehension
astonish
Shock with wonder
dumbfound · flabbergast · take aback · catch off guard · blindside · jolt · shock · stagger · bowl over · stupefy
flinch
Involuntary retreat from threat
gasp · recoil · blink · wince · spasm · shudder · involuntary · instinctive · reaction · autonomic
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
unpredictable · jarring · sharp · quick · instantaneous · split-second · bolt · out of nowhere · without warning · snap
- reflexesreflex, reflexes, reflex action, reflex response, quick reflexes
- flinchingflinch, flinching, wince, wincing, recoil
- verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
- fearfear, dread, afraid, fright, frightened
- body reactionssweating, blushing, shiver, goosebumps, twitch
- body responsesfight, flight, shivering, freeze, goosebumps
- start overBegin from the beginning
- fresh startOpportunity to restart unburdened
- get startedBegin an undertaking
- starting overBeginning again from scratch
- start a fireInitiate burning
- start offBegin an activity
start, started, starting, startling, startled, starter, restart, starts, upstart