Tra từ startle - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

star·tle [startle startles startled startling] BrE [ˈstɑːtl] NAmE [ˈstɑːrtl] verb
to surprise sb suddenly in a way that slightly shocks or frightens them
•~ sb/sth I didn't mean to startle you.
•The explosion startled the horse.
•I was startled by her question.
•it startles sb to do sth It startled me to find her sitting in my office.
Derived Word: ↑startled
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English steartlian ‘kick, struggle’, from the base of ↑start. The early sense gave rise to ‘move quickly, caper’ (typically said of cattle), which led to the sense ‘cause to react with fear’ (late 16th cent.).

Synonyms:
surprise
startle • amaze • stun • astonish • take sb aback • astound
These words all mean to make sb feel surprised.
surprise • to give sb the feeling that you get when sth happens that you do not expect or do not understand, or sth that you do expect does not happen; to make sb feel surprised: ▪ The outcome didn't surprise me at all.
startle • to surprise sb suddenly in a way that slightly shocks or frightens them: ▪ Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. ◇ ▪ The explosion startled the horse.
amaze • to surprise sb very much: ▪ Just the huge size of the place amazed her.
stun • (rather informal) (often in newspapers) to surprise or shock sb so much that they cannot think clearly or speak
astonish • to surprise sb very much: ▪ The news astonished everyone.
amaze or astonish?
These two words have the same meaning and in most cases you can use either. If you are talking about sth that both surprises you and makes you feel ashamed, use astonish: ▪ He was astonished by his own stupidity.
take sb aback • [usually passive] (especially of sth negative) to surprise or shock sb: ▪ We were rather taken aback by her hostile reaction.
astound • to surprise or shock sb very much: ▪ His arrogance astounded her.
It surprises sb/startles sb/amazes sb/stuns sb/astonishes sb/takes sb aback/astounds sb
to surprise/startle/amaze/stun/astonish/astound sb that…
to surprise/amaze sb what/how…
to surprise/startle/amaze/stun/astonish/astound sb to know/find/learn/see/hear…
to be surprised/startled/stunned into (doing) sth

Example Bank:
•I was startled by his sudden appearance in the doorway.
•She was momentarily startled by the sight before her.
•She was obviously a little startled at this idea.
•He seemed startled to see me.

Example Bank:
•She was startled into a little cry of surprise.
•Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.