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startled

startled

3.3
Feeling sudden surprise and often jumping
  • adjective
  • /ˈstɑrtəld/
translation icon : sobresaltado
  • He jumped when he heard the startled scream of the child in the playground.

And he could be easily startled by strong men.

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Examples

  • And I was startled, and maybe I squealed a tiny bit.

  • They were, they were startled because when I'd go to bed, which always went pretty early, they'd be up till late.

  • And he could be easily startled by strong men.

  • I was laying in bed and I woke up startled and could barely move.

  • His brother Lou woke up startled by some noise.

  • He walked out and I, you know, was just startled by every aspect of him.

  • These people don't seem startled enough for it to be a pigeon.

  • For example, if she's startled, she'll do a very quick, short, high pitched bark.

  • So Moll and Cobb are startled that they're with somebody and they see they're not alone.

  • She was startled by the loud clap of thunder during the storm.

Synonyms

shocked
vsstartled
543 2.1

Feeling surprised and upset because something bad or unexpected happens

is more about a quick alarm and reflex movement, not long distress
surprised
vsstartled
357 1.0

Feeling sudden wonder when something unexpected happens

is more alarmed and produces a quick involuntary movement
stunned
vsstartled
29 3.0

Too shocked to move or think clearly

is a quick reflex movement showing alarm, not inability to respond mentally
alarmed
vsstartled
10 2.2

Suddenly afraid or worried because you think something bad might happen

is a quick involuntary reaction showing immediate fright rather than worry
thunderstruck
vsstartled
5 7.0

Very surprised and unable to speak or move

is a quick reflex show of alarm rather than overwhelming immobility
rattled
vsstartled
  • Informal
1 7.0

Feeling nervous and confused after a sudden, unexpected event

is a short reflexive jump of alarm, not ongoing nervous confusion
disconcerted
vsstartled
1 6.9

Feeling confused and uneasy because something surprised you

is a brief involuntary movement showing alarm, not longer loss of composure
stupefied
vsstartled
1 7.0

Unable to think or react after a sudden shock

is a fast involuntary movement showing alarm, not prolonged mental numbness
jolted
vsstartled
5.3

Suddenly shocked and unable to act or speak

is an automatic small movement from surprise, not caused by impact
staggered
vsstartled
4.4

Very surprised by something you did not expect

is a sudden small reflex response rather than deep astonishment
shaken
vsstartled
2.7

Feeling upset and confused after a sudden bad event

is an instant physical reflex showing alarm, not prolonged emotional disturbance
consternated
vsstartled
  • Archaic
8.4

Feeling very surprised and worried by something unexpected

is an immediate physical reflex response rather than sustained anxiety

Antonyms

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

2 7.0

Calm and not worried when things go wrong

How Startled

terrified
263 2.1
shocked
543 2.1
startled
3.3
surprised
357 1.0
calm
735 1.0

Surface Forms

startled positive

Morphology

startled = startle (transparent) = startle + ed

The adjective is the past-participial/adjectival form of the verb 'startle' with -ed; the meaning 'feeling sudden surprise or alarm' follows directly.

Etymology

Startled comes from the old verb start, which meant 'to jump' or make a sudden movement. So, to be startled is to feel sudden surprise and often to move quickly without meaning to.