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
jolted; jolting; jolts
1
a
: to disturb the composure of : shock
crudely jolted out of that mood—
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolfan announcement that jolted the community
b
: to interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly
determination to pursue his own course was jolted badly—F. L. Paxson
F. L. Paxson2
: 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
: to move with a sudden jerky motion
jolter
noun
Synonyms
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
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024
How to prepare for the time change Some people try to prepare for a time change jolt by changing their bed times little by little in the days before the change.
—Associated Press, TIME, 27 Oct. 2024
Elias Leight, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Diop, who then wore her hair similarly, was jolted.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jolt 
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Noun
The shrill blast of the whistle signaled their departure, and the locomotive strained to pull away from the station, making the carriage jolt.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024
How to prepare for the time change Some people try to prepare for a time change jolt by changing their bed times little by little in the days before the change.
—Associated Press, TIME, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
Jones gradually ratchets up power, adding jolting brass and a string section that zigs and zags dramatically.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Diop, who then wore her hair similarly, was jolted.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jolt
Dictionary Entries Near jolt
Cite this Entry
“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jolt. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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