The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word UNNERVE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
U
N
N
E
R
V
E
More clues leading to the result UNNERVE
- Disconcert artilleryman? Not good and very unsafe, ultimately
- Old soldier cut down after rifleman missed first alarm
- Startle artilleryman, heading off before end-of-war celebrations?
- Shake bottle
- Disconcert peacekeepers, at no time raising resistance
- Athlete heading off with very little energy, upset
- Macron’s one sadly never put out
- Disconcert gunrunner, vetting cases
- Make someone unsettled – even run away
- 5 artillerymen avoiding extremes before end of war?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Startle" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case startle = unnerve.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does UNNERVE mean?
UNNERVE verb- To deprive of nerve, force, or strength; to weaken; to enfeeble.
- To make somebody nervous, upset, alarm, shake the resolve of.