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take aback vs startle

startle vs take aback

take aback is not a noun while startle is a noun.

take aback and startle both are verbs.

Word NounAdjectiveVerbAdverb
take aback No No Yes No
startle Yes No Yes No
As verbs, startle is a hyponym of take aback; that is, startle is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than take aback:
  • take aback: surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off
  • startle: to stimulate to action
Other hyponyms of take aback include galvanise, galvanize.
take aback (noun) startle (noun)
a sudden involuntary movement
take aback (verb) startle (verb)
surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off to stimulate to action
move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm
Difference between take aback and startle

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