jolt

¹jolt

verb \ˈjōlt\

Definition of JOLT

transitive verb

1

: to cause to move with a sudden jerky motion

2

: to give a knock or blow to; specifically : to jar with a quick or hard blow

3

a : to disturb the composure of : shock <crudely jolted out of that mood — Virginia Woolf> b : to interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly <determination to pursue his own course was jolted badly — F. L. Paxson>

intransitive verb

: to move with a sudden jerky motion

— jolt·er noun

Examples of JOLT

1. The explosion jolted the ship.
2. He was jolted forward when the bus stopped suddenly.
3. The loud bang jolted me awake.
4. The attack jolted the country into action.
5. She jolted the medical world with her announcement.

Origin of JOLT

probably blend of obsolete joll to strike and jot to bump

First Known Use: 1596

Related to JOLT

Synonyms: agitate, bucket, convulse, jerk, jiggle, joggle, shake, jounce, judder [chiefly British], quake, quiver, shudder, vibrate, wobble (also wabble)

Related Words: rock, sway, swing; chatter, quaver, shiver, thrill, tremble; twitch; dodder, waver; flicker, fluctuate, flutter, oscillate, undulate, wave; beat, palpitate, pit-a-pat, pitter-patter, pulsate, pulse, throb

Near Antonyms: buffer, cushion; delight, gratify, please, rejoice, tickle; charm, entice, tempt; assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; reassure

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with JOLT

bolt, colt, dolt, molt, poult, smolt, volt