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Glite Dictionary
startle reaction

startle reaction

6.3
A quick change in your body and feelings when something suddenly surprises you, like a loud noise
  • noun
  • /ˈstɑrtəl riˈækʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : 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

start
vsstartle reaction
34 1.0

A sudden small movement caused by surprise or fear

is a reflexive automatic action that also includes mental and muscle changes
jump
vsstartle reaction
19 1.0

A sudden movement of the body caused by surprise

is a reflexive automatic action that involves muscle flexing and mental change
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
startle reflex
vsstartle reaction
  • Specialized
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
reflex response
vsstartle reaction
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

Antonyms

calmness
9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Intense

to panic
272 2.3
startle reaction
  • Specialized
6.3
to twitch
66 2.8
blink
70 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.