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Glite Dictionary
startle reaction

startle reaction

1 6.3
A quick change in your body and feelings when something suddenly surprises you, like a loud noise
  • noun
  • /ˈstɑrtəl riˈækʃən/
  • Specialized
: reacción de sobresalto
  • The loud noise caused a sudden startle reaction.

Examples

  • Researchers measured the startle reaction to assess the patients' nervous system responses.

  • Have you ever experienced a startle reaction to a loud sound?

  • A sudden flash of lightning triggered my startle reaction despite knowing the storm was coming.

  • The doctor observed the infant's startle reaction when a loud noise was made in the room.

  • The loud noise caused a startle reaction in the audience, making everyone jump out of their seats.

  • His startle reaction to the sudden clap of thunder was noticeable as he instinctively covered his ears.

  • The unexpected movement of the cat sparked a startle reaction, causing her to drop the book she was holding.

Synonyms

jump
vsstartle reaction
12 1.0

A sudden movement of the body caused by surprise

is a reflexive automatic action that involves muscle flexing and mental change
start
vsstartle reaction
9 1.0

A sudden small movement caused by surprise or fear

is a reflexive automatic action that also includes mental and muscle changes
startle response
vsstartle reaction
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A quick automatic reaction to a sudden sound or movement that makes you jump

is the same meaning but uses a different word for the same event
reflex response
vsstartle reaction
1 4.2

An automatic action your body makes without thinking when something touches or moves near you

focuses on sudden unexpected triggers and includes muscle flexing
startle reflex
vsstartle reaction
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A baby's quick arm and leg movement after a loud noise

is the broader automatic action across ages rather than only in infants

Antonyms

calmness
11 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Intense

to panic
381 2.3
startle reaction
  • Specialized
1 6.3
to twitch
79 2.8
blink
58 1.0

Surface Forms

startle reaction singular
startle reactions plural

Morphology

startle + reaction

The meaning 'a reflexive, automatic response to a sudden stimulus' is directly derivable from combining 'startle' (to cause sudden shock or surprise) with 'reaction' (a response). This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase that follows common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Startle reaction comes from a simple picture: when a sudden sound or movement makes you startle, like a quick jump or flinch, your body gives a fast reaction. So, startle reaction means that quick, 'automatic' body and mind response to an unexpected event.