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.

His lyrics also startle the way poems do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 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

The next thing Ms Lees knew, the kangaroo had launched towards her car, which she had slowed to a crawl so as not to startle the animal, and started to attack it.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

At the same hearing, Talley revealed that Ferguson still had the chair with the bullet hole and kept it in his living room, a fact that seemed to startle the judge.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2025

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” the woman said, sinking down next to Ophie.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland