WordWeb Online

1. To stimulate to action
   "..startled him awake"
   - galvanize, galvanise [Brit]
    
2. Move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm
   "She startled when I walked into the room"
   - jump, start

1. A sudden involuntary movement
   - jump, start

Derived forms: startling, startled, startles

Type of: ball over, blow out of the water, floor, inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, move, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, shock, take aback, unconditioned reflex

Encyclopedia: Startle