- (n.) A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise or apprehension of danger.
- (v.t.) To excite by sudden alarm, surprise or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
- (v.t.) To move suddenly or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
- (v.t.) To deter; to cause to deviate.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). startle. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/startle/definitions/2065970 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "startle" http://smartdefine.org/startle/definitions/2065970 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, startle, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/startle/definitions/2065970>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "startle" 28 May 2011. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/startle/definitions/2065970> |