Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun startle_reaction

1 sense of startle reaction

Sense 1
startle response, startle reaction -- (a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions)
       => startle, jump, start -- (a sudden involuntary movement; "he awoke with a start")