startle | Definition of startle

Synonyms and Antonyms of startle

1 to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover

Synonyms of startle

amaze, astonish, astound, bowl over, dumbfound (also dumfound), flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, stun, stupefy, surprise (also surprize), thunderstrike

Words Related to startle

befuddle, bewilder, blindside, blow away, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up

Phrases Synonymous with startle

knock for a loop, take aback, take by surprise

2 to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)

the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms of startle

bolt, jump, start

Words Related to startle

jerk, jolt, twitch

blench, cringe, flinch, quail, recoil, shrink, spook, squinch, wince

bound, leap, spring

3 to strike with fear

loud noises always startle her

Synonyms of startle

affright, alarm (also alarum), fright, frighten, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, spook, terrify, terrorize

Words Related to startle

appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up

amaze, astound, awe

chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring

discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry

Phrases Synonymous with startle

give one the creeps, make one's flesh creep (or crawl)

Near Antonyms of startle

assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe

embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

Antonyms of startle