startle: intransitive verb : to move or jump suddenly (as in surprise or alarm) *the baby startles easily*
transitive verb : to frighten or surprise suddenly and usually not seriously
lull: 1 : to cause to sleep or rest : SOOTHE
2 : to cause to relax vigilance
appease: 1 : to bring to a state of peace or quiet : CALM
2 : to cause to subside : ALLAY *appeased my hunger*
3 : PACIFY, CONCILIATE; especially : to buy off (an aggressor) by concessions usually at the sacrifice of principles