Synonyms of startles

startles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of startle

1

as in amazes

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

the lightning startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amazes
• stuns
• astonishes
• surprises
• shocks
• rocks
• astounds
• stupefies
• flabbergasts
• surprizes
• dumbfounds
• dumfounds
• perplexes
• bewilders
• bowls over
• disconcerts
• takes by surprise
• befuddles
• dismays
• takes aback
• confuses
• thunderstrikes
• blindsides
• dazes
• discomfits
• floors
• nonplusses
• confounds
• blows away
• muddles
• shakes up
• nonpluses
• jars
• knocks for a loop

2

as in jumps

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)

the cat startled when the door slammed shut with a bang

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jumps
• winces
• cringes
• leaps
• flinches
• starts
• twitches
• jerks
• bolts
• recoils
• jolts
• reacts
• responds
• springs
• shrinks
• spooks
• bounds
• blenches
• quails
• squinches

3

as in frightens

to strike with fear

loud noises always startle her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frightens
• scares
• terrifies
• horrifies
• shocks
• spooks
• shakes
• terrorizes
• panics
• alarms
• frights
• affrights
• amazes
• appalls
• appals
• scarifies
• distracts
• alarums
• jolts
• astounds
• dismays
• makes one's flesh crawl
• gives one the creeps
• awes
• unsettles
• disturbs
• makes one's flesh creep
• unnerves
• disconcerts
• daunts
• bowls over
• shakes up
• disquiets
• perturbs
• emasculates
• worries
• upsets
• distresses
• unmans
• undoes
• demoralizes
• dispirits
• floors
• discomforts
• unstrings
• chills
• discomposes
• psychs (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassures
• assures
• cheers
• soothes
• comforts
• encourages
• inspires
• consoles
• heartens
• emboldens
• solaces
• steels

startles

2 of 2

noun

plural of startle

as in shocks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shocks
• surprizes
• dismays
• astonishments
• amazements
• awes
• surprises
• bewilderments
• consternations
• startlements
• discomfitures
• stupefactions
• wonders
• wonderments
• confusions