jolt

1 of 2

noun

1
: an abrupt, sharp, jerky blow or movement
awoke with a jolt
2
a(1)
: a sudden feeling of shock, surprise, or disappointment
the news gave them a jolt
(2)
: an event or development causing such a feeling
the defeat was quite a jolt
b
: a serious setback or reverse
a severe financial jolt
3
: a small but potent or bracing portion of something
a jolt of horseradish
jolty adjective

jolt

2 of 2

verb

jolted; jolting; jolts

transitive verb

1
a
: to disturb the composure of : shock
crudely jolted out of that moodVirginia Woolf
an announcement that jolted the community
b
: to interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly
determination to pursue his own course was jolted badlyF. L. Paxson
2
: to cause to move with a sudden jerky motion
passengers being jolted along a bumpy road
3
: to give a knock or blow to
specifically : to jar with a quick or hard blow

intransitive verb

: to move with a sudden jerky motion
jolter noun

Examples of jolt in a Sentence

Noun I sprang out of bed with a jolt. The car stopped with a jolt. I got quite a jolt when I heard the door slam. The defeat was quite a jolt to the team. The stock market suffered a major jolt yesterday. She needed a jolt of caffeine to start her day. The unexpected praise he received gave him a jolt of confidence. Verb The explosion jolted the ship. He was jolted forward when the bus stopped suddenly. The loud bang jolted me awake. The attack jolted the country into action. She jolted the medical world with her announcement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Every sound seems heightened, and every sudden noise sends a jolt right through you, along with a shiver of dread, an effect given amplitude by the discreet use of Alexis Grapsas’ relatively minimalist score. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024 But Cue The Sun! also celebrates what made the genre so powerful: a jolt of authentic emotion. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 21 June 2024
Verb
Still, compared to just a few years ago, when Biden was sworn into office, grocery prices have jolted by more than 20% — causing pain for families. Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 June 2024 The tool quickly immobilizes someone by jolting them with electricity, causing muscles to seize. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for jolt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jolt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably blend of obsolete joll to strike and jot to bump

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of jolt was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near jolt

Cite this Entry

“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jolt. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

jolt

1 of 2 verb
1
: to give a quick hard blow to : jar
2
: to move jerkily
jolter noun

jolt

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sudden jarring blow or movement
2
: a sudden shock or surprise

More from Merriam-Webster on jolt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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