startle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Few people who have been on the national stage this long retain an ability to startle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

But when she sees another dog, everything changes: she snarls, barks loud enough to startle a city block, and lunges with so much force it takes all my strength to hold her back.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

While her decision to stand down as an MSP was obvious and much anticipated, it still has the capacity to startle.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2025

The genetically engineered mice reacted the same way humans with the disorder would react to individual sounds that were part of a pattern -- they showed a startle response to each tone, Nasello said.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2024

“I’ll go myself so as not to startle him. You guys stay here and wait. I’ll come back in a few minutes.”

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck