jostle
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bump, push, shove, brush against, or elbow roughly or rudely.
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to drive or force by, or as if by, pushing or shoving.
The crowd jostled him into the subway.
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to exist in close contact or proximity with.
The three families jostle each other in the small house.
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to contend with.
rival gangs continually jostling each other.
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to unsettle; disturb.
The thought jostled her complacency.
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Slang. to pick the pocket of.
verb (used without object)
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to bump or brush against someone or something, as in passing or in a crowd; push or shove (often followed by with, for, oragainst ).
He jostled for position.
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to exist in close contact or proximity with someone or something.
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to compete; contend.
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Slang. to pick pockets.
noun
verb
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to bump or push (someone) roughly
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to come or bring into contact
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to force (one's way) by pushing
noun
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the act of jostling
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a rough bump or push
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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jostlesimple
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jostlessimple
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have jostledperfect
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has jostledperfect
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am jostlingprogressive
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are jostlingprogressive
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is jostlingprogressive
-
have been jostlingperfect progressive
-
has been jostlingperfect progressive
Past
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jostledsimple
-
had jostledperfect
-
was jostlingprogressive
-
were jostlingprogressive
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had been jostlingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of jostle
First recorded in 1350–1400; variant (in Middle English, variant spelling) of justle, equivalent to just(en) “to joust” + -le; see origin at joust
Explanation
The verb jostle describes being bumped and pushed in a horde of people — or doing the bumping, like those at a concert who jostle their way to the front, and the people jostled out of their spots when the newcomers arrive. Jostle describes both what someone does, like an impatient person who jostles other people out of his way on a crowded bus or subway car, and what happens to those victims: They may have their bags and cups of hot coffee jostled out of their hands by the impatient one's pushing and shoving. When you say the word jostle remember to shove the t out of the way because it's silent: "JOSS-ul."
Vocabulary lists containing jostle
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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List 4
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This is not the first time Singaporeans have crossed swords over how common spaces should be used in the land-scarce country, where more than 8,300 people jostle for each kilometre.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2026
But as companies jostle to dominate the AI race, the company faces stiff competition in adding more engineers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
This ascent cannot be extricated from a geopolitical context that has seen Europe battling for relevance while other major powers jostle for supremacy in many areas, notably AI.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2025
Ronan, better known as a painter in New York’s contemporary art world, chronicles a collection of still lives who jostle themselves out of an emotional stupor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2025
Some prisoners who didn’t have the strength to jostle, or even to stand, sat down in the snow.
From "Night" by Elie Wiesel
Oil trade is likely to be choppy Friday, as the increased flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz jostles with concerns around the terms of peace, Brooks adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Fatima jostles to get free food and clothing provided by the private Dubai-based charity Waqf al-Farah, which organised the convoy.
From BBC ● May 15, 2025
Her biggest backer remains India, which has invested in several infrastructure projects as it jostles for influence against rival China in the region.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 7, 2024
When the doorbell rings, Oliver wipes his face and jostles with Jameson to answer.
From Slate ● Apr. 29, 2023
The train rattles forward, jostles from side to side, its engine making a sound like the propeller of a plane.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Inside, mourners jostled to touch the coffin before prayers were held.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
At the Great Hall of the People, journalists from both sides jostled each other to get a place before the meeting as US and Chinese officials tried to keep order.
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
Frightened people jostled their way on, leaving tearful goodbyes on the platform with those staying to fight.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026
The city's main market bustled on Friday afternoon as shoppers jostled through heavy traffic.
From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 2026
We passed an afternoon at the Iowa State Fair, riding bumper cars and shooting water soakers to win stuffed animals, as photographers jostled for position, shoving their lenses in our faces.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Companies are jostling to take stakes in the robotics sector.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
Their wait could last three full days, until the teams jostling in the standings wrap up group play on Saturday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Then again, perhaps we'll see them in 2030, jostling for more records.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Instead, the wows come from good stagings of ordinary action: a car crash, a gripped crucifix, a hideout crowded with jostling, thrumming musical instruments.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Miss Ann Burras squints her eyes, scowls, and ignores the men who are jostling one another to have a chance to carry her satchel.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
