Startle
Startle verb - To make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected.
To frighten and startle are semantically related. In some cases you can replace phrase "To frighten" with "Startle", this terms are similar.
To frighten
Startle and to frighten are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Startle" instead a verb phrase "To frighten".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Both terms in one sentence
- Early in the episode he fires it into the air to frighten off some wild dogs, then to startle some Space Mongols.
Source: Chekhovs Gun / Live-Action TV
Cite this Source
To frighten and Startle. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 31, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/startle/to_frighten
Startle & To frighten. N.p., 2016. Web. 31 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/startle/to_frighten>.
To frighten or Startle. 2016. Accessed July 31, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/startle/to_frighten.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "startle" and "to frighten" have occurred on timeline