startled

[ stahr-tld ]

adjective

1. disturbed or agitated suddenly, as by surprise or alarm:

   Seeing startled herons and egrets flee at the sound of 35 teenagers was a highlight for kids who rarely see birds in their natural habitat.

2. expressing such surprise or alarm:

   A startled cry escaped my throat as I was roughly pulled to my feet by the bodyguard.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of startle.

Other Word Forms

• un·star·tled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of startled¹

startle ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

They’re easily startled and may arch their back and splay their hands, as if to say, “The world is stressful for me.”

From Los Angeles Times

This wild and impolitic work startled civilized Parisian salons with what sounded like sheer ugliness.

From Los Angeles Times

I think maybe I startled it, and then when I blew the whistle, I for sure startled it, and I think it was just curious at that point.

From Los Angeles Times

Around the corner, on Crosby Street, the people with RVs have been happy — if, initially, a bit startled — to see nearby restaurants, a supermarket and a gym bustling.

From Los Angeles Times

The deafening roar of the aircraft startled nearby livestock, sending cattle into panicked stampedes.

From BBC

Related Words

• scared
• shocked
• spooked
• stunned
• surprised