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. 2024
How to use jolt in a sentence
Something hit him from the side and hurled him joltingly to the sharp gravel.
The Unprotected Species | Melvin SturgisFor answer Jerry started the motor, then, joltingly and with cautious slowness, the small car crept toward the curve.
The Phantom Town Mystery | Carol NortonHis mind leaped from mother to wife, and back again, joltingly.
Half Portions | Edna Ferber"Good journey and good luck, Monsieur," cried Reine after him, and the vehicle sped joltingly away.
A Woodland Queen, Complete | Andre TheurietAnd now we rattle over the stones joltingly, along a fairly well-lighted street.
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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