jolt
to jar, shake, or cause to move by or as if by a sudden rough thrust; shake up roughly: The bus jolted its passengers as it went down the rocky road.
to knock sharply so as to dislodge: He jolted the nail free with a stone.
to stun with a blow, especially in boxing.
to shock emotionally or psychologically: His sudden death jolted us all.
to bring to a desired state sharply or abruptly: to jolt a person into awareness.
to make active or alert, as by using an abrupt, sharp, or rough manner: to jolt someone's memory.
to interfere with or intrude upon, especially in a rough or crude manner; interrupt disturbingly.
to move with a sharp jerk or a series of sharp jerks: The car jolted to a halt.
a jolting shock, movement, or blow: The automobile gave a sudden jolt.
an emotional or psychological shock: The news of his arrest gave me quite a jolt.
something that causes such a shock: The news was a jolt to me.
a sudden, unexpected rejection or defeat: Their policy got a rude jolt from the widespread opposition.
Slang. a prison sentence.
Slang. an injection of a narcotic.
a bracing dose of something: a jolt of whiskey; a jolt of fresh air.
Origin of jolt
1Other words from jolt
- jolter, noun
- jolt·ing·ly, adverb
- joltless, adjective
- un·jolt·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use jolt in a sentence
The yellow representing a jolt or spark and the grey symbolizing composure and stillness.
Shop Style Finds Inspired By Pantone’s Official Colors of 2021 | Nandi Howard | December 11, 2020 | Essence.comPerhaps that’s why I keep coming back to this collection for what feels like a little jolt of hope for my fantasy kitchen.
I Can’t Stop Looking at These Outrageous Dolce & Gabbana Kitchen Appliances | Stefania Orrù | December 10, 2020 | EaterLamar Jackson’s return provides a much-needed jolt as Ravens run roughshod over Cowboys14.
NFL Week 14 power rankings: Chiefs return to No. 1 after Steelers’ stunning loss | Mark Maske | December 9, 2020 | Washington PostThen, on Monday, we got a jolt of good vaccine news from Pfizer, sending value stocks higher.
As COVID cases spike, all eyes are on this streaming giant | Bernhard Warner | November 13, 2020 | FortuneIf you’re a runner, it’s impossible to see them and not feel a jolt of adrenaline.
In its presence--jolting, sudden, horrific—the monster is the monster of grief.
The current season has taken the characters through jolting changes.
Michael Sheen’s Masterful Study of Sex and Insecurity | Caryn James | September 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey fall backwards into trenches, the camera jolting with the concussive force of the explosions.
The assumption was that an electric chair death would occur by jolting the heart into stopping.
Audiences can be jaded when it comes to horror novels, as they are used to jolting films.
To the girls, that jolting ride was like an adventure straight from the Arabian Nights.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee HopeNight came upon us, labouring in black jolting seas, dashing them into white spray, and running away into dangerous unknown parts.
The British Expedition to the Crimea | William Howard RussellOur men were sent to the sea, three miles distant, on jolting arabas or tedious litters.
The British Expedition to the Crimea | William Howard RussellBob lay upon some sacks in an ungainly attitude, and the jolting had not broken his heavy sleep.
The Girl From Keller's | Harold BindlossNevertheless, it is a bit jolting to realize, suddenly, that some one has been prying into your family history.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars | John Reed Scott
British Dictionary definitions for jolt
/ (dʒəʊlt) /
to bump against with a jarring blow; jostle
to move in a jolting manner
to surprise or shock
a sudden jar or blow
an emotional shock
Origin of jolt
1Derived forms of jolt
- jolter, noun
- joltingly, adverb
- jolty, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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