Flinch vs Startled - What's the difference?
flinch | startled |
A reflexive jerking away.
To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus.
* John Locke
To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
As verbs the difference between flinch and startled
is that flinch is to make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus while startled is past tense of startle.As a noun flinch
is a reflexive jerking away.As an adjective startled is
frightened.flinch
English
Noun
(es)- My eye doctor hates the flinch I have every time he tries to get near my eyes.
Verb
- A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.
