STARTLED

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does startled mean? 

• STARTLED (adjective)
  The adjective STARTLED has 1 sense:

1. excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

  Familiarity information: STARTLED used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STARTLED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

Context example:

her startled expression

Similar:

surprised (taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment)

 Context examples 

Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment's suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Her brown eyes were like a startled deer’s.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

This answer startled me, but I presently recovered myself.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

He had a wizened face, and sharp little dark eyes, which took in me and the house and my mother’s startled face at the window all in the instant.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The storm still raged, and various were the noises, more terrific even than the wind, which struck at intervals on her startled ear.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Dr. Van Helsing was as startled as I was.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"Pardon me," replied Elinor, startled by the question; "but I can give you no advice under such circumstances. Your own judgment must direct you."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

"Hans!" she would cry, "wake up!" and he would come to a recollection of himself, startled and shamefaced and unrepentant.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She looked back at us from the door, and I had a last impression of that beautiful haunted face, the startled eyes, and the drawn mouth.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)