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Startled vs Overwhelmed - What's the difference?

startled | overwhelmed |

As verbs the difference between startled and overwhelmed

is that startled is (startle) while overwhelmed is (overwhelm).

As an adjective startled

is frightened.

startled

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Frightened.
  • Extremely shocked.
  • Verb

    (head)
  • (startle)
  • overwhelmed

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (overwhelm)

  • overwhelm

    English

    Verb

  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
  • The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
  • To overpower, crush.
  • In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
  • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • To overpower emotionally.
  • He was overwhelmed with guilt.
    Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.
  • (Papin)

    Derived terms

    * overwhelming

    See also

    * too many balls in the air