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In the given context, the word that has a meaning similar to "startled" but with a more negative connotation is "terrified."
Here's a breakdown to help you understand:
1. Startled means to feel sudden shock or alarm, often from something unexpected.
2. Terrified, on the other hand, goes beyond being startled; it implies intense fear or extreme fright, usually in a more negative and distressing manner.
Therefore, in the context of the poem where the person climbs the tower and startles the pigeons from their perch, "terrified" would convey a sense of deeper fear or distress compared to simply being startled.
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