startle
Translation
to surprise, to shock, to alarm
Examples
The loud noise startled me.
The loud noise startled me.
She was startled to see him there.
She was startled to see him there.
Grammar Patterns
to startle ((sb.)) to surprise (sb.) The loud noise startled me.
to be startled to ((to-inf)) to be surprised to (do sth.) She was startled to see him there.
Similar Words
Synonyms: surprise, shock, frighten, alarm
Etymology
Related to 'start' in its older sense of 'to leap up'. The '-le' suffix can indicate a repetitive or frequentative action.
Memory Tips
Imagine you 'start' to move suddenly because something scared you. It makes you 'startle'.