The gesture startled him into a short laugh.

The gesture startled him for a moment, until he realized that if anyone would retain old traditions it would be the Marines.

The gesture startled me, and it startled him.

And the gesture so startled him that he did shush.

The intimate gesture startled her, as did his intent scrutiny.

Expecting violence, this gentle and loverlike gesture startled her.

The gesture clearly startled him; he became motionless, like an animal in the wood who suddenly sensed danger where there had been none before.

The gesture crinkled the corners of his eyes and momentarily startled Rainie.

What they really do is this : the physical gesture startles the mind out of its lethargy, so that the idea which has been troubling it is replaced by a new one.

That simple gesture startled her.