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

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

“Dogs can startle or scare bears and provoke defensive behaviors,” according to the state agency website, so dogs should be kept on a leash on trails.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2024

I startle at the sound of a voice, and then squint into darkness to make out a neighbor leaning out her front door, drying her hands on a dish towel and smiling ruefully in apology.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse