startle

/ˈstɑːtl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstɑːrtl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstär-tᵊl/ (ame, mw)

startle — verb

  • startlepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • startleshe / she / it
  • startledpast simple
  • startling-ing form

1. to cause a sudden, brief feeling of shock or surprise in someone, often making t

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to cause a sudden, brief feeling of shock or surprise in someone, often making them jump or react physically, but without causing serious fear

例句

Noa was startled by the sudden clap of thunder that shook the windows.

be startled by [sudden event]

The crash from the kitchen startled Brandon so much that he dropped his book.

startle + object + so much that [result]

同義詞
  • surprise

    broader meaning, can be pleasant; startle always involves suddenness

  • frighten

    implies stronger fear; startle is usually milder and temporary

  • alarm

    suggests worry about danger; startle is about suddenness, not threat

  • shock

    more intense and longer-lasting; startle is brief

反義詞
  • calm

    to make someone peaceful rather than suddenly surprised

  • reassure

    to remove fear or worry, opposite of startling

文法句型

startle + object

be startled (by/at something)

startle + object + awake/into action

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice (be startled by/at something). The subject of the active form is typically an unexpected event or noise. Resultative adjectives like 'awake' or phrases like 'into action' can follow the object: 'The alarm startled him awake.'

常見錯誤

❌The loud noise startled me up.
✅The loud noise startled me.
💡'startle' already describes a sudden reaction; adding 'up' is unnecessary unless you mean a specific result like 'startled awake.'
❌I startled at the spider.
✅The spider startled me.
💡Sense 1 is transitive: the unexpected thing causes the reaction. For intransitive use (you jump because of surprise), see sense 2.

2. to make a sudden, quick movement because something unexpected has surprised or f

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to make a sudden, quick movement because something unexpected has surprised or frightened you

例句

Rin startled at the sound of a twig snapping in the quiet forest.

startle at [unexpected sound]

The horse startled when a plastic bag blew across the path in front of it.

同義詞
  • jump

    more general; jumping can be voluntary or involuntary

  • flinch

    a smaller movement, often from pain or fear; startle is a bigger reaction from surprise

文法句型

startle at something

startle out of something

用法筆記

Intransitive — the person or animal is the subject, not the object. Compare with sense 1: 'The noise startled me' (transitive, noise = subject) vs 'I startled at the noise' (intransitive, I = subject). This sense is less common in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌I startled from the loud noise.
✅I startled at the loud noise.
💡The preferred preposition with this sense is 'at,' not 'from.'

startle — noun