WordWeb Online

1. Excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
   "students startled by the teacher's quiet return"; "the sudden fluttering of the startled pigeons"; "her startled expression"

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

See also: surprised

Type of: ball over, blow out of the water, floor, move, shock, take aback

Encyclopedia: Startle