startled

Consider the FBI under the manifestly incompetent leadership of current director Kash Patel, whose perennially startled demeanor gives actual deer caught in actual headlights a bad name.

That was apparent from the Second’s opening notes, in which trembling violins and violas sound as if startled awake, ushering in cellos and basses who have begun moving the furniture.

A military horse that bolted through central London after being startled by construction work has retired to the country.

If they acted startled, he would also look startled.

I flushed when she said my name, and I startled easily and often when she tried to spook me.