jarring

[ jahr-ing ]

adjective

1. having a harshly unpleasant or disturbing effect on one’s nerves, feelings, thoughts, etc.:

   The news of my cancer diagnosis was both jarring and devastating.

2. (of sounds) producing a harshly unpleasant effect; discordant:

   I’d much rather wake up to a gentle vibration than to the jarring sound of my phone alarm.

3. conflicting, clashing, or disagreeing:

   There is a jarring contrast between the trees and open space of the peaceful park and its hostile border of gray concrete warehouses and parking garages.

4. vibrating or shaking; characterized by sudden, jerky movements:

   There was enough rock on that trail to make for a jarring ride on a bike with narrow wheels and no suspension.

noun

1. the act, state, or effect of clashing or conflicting:

   Paradoxically, the jarring of an encounter with the arts in the middle of outdoor urban space creates a connection between them.

2. the act of shaking or the state of being shaken; sudden, jerky movement:

   The seats had no padding and I felt bruises forming from the jarring of the truck.

3. the act of disturbing a person by harsh, discordant sound or by something unsettling, unexpected, or unpleasant:

   For UK readers, using the British text edition makes for a comfortable read without the jarring of unfamiliar spelling or phrasing.

Other Words From

• jar·ring·ly adverb
• un·jar·ring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jarring¹

First recorded in 1550–60; jar ²( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; jar ²( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

The team found that a heightened risk of a jarring flight extended more than 55 miles away from a thunderstorm, which is roughly three times the storm-avoidance distance currently recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration.

From New York Times

It’s a jarring sight, but oarfish are anything but dangerous.

From Los Angeles Times

In the background, a jarring chorus of voices echoed, “Arrest her, arrest her!”

From BBC

Seeking a response to a jarring defeat against the All Blacks seven days prior, Ireland's victory against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday served to answer some questions while presenting a few more.

From BBC

But in our current political climate – and a life-altering election – there’s something jarring about "Here’s" presentation of a sunnier, happier world in the past.

From Salon

Related Words

• bumpy
• crushing
• disconcerting
• unsettling